The Adventures of Mom's Booty - 10/4 Wonder..... NEW UPDATE 7/7! See Ya Real Soon!

[solgent]

Loved the photos & detailed description of Atlantis. We are going on our first cruise at the end of Aug & I have booked a room at Comfort Suites to get access to Atlantis. It looks AMAZING.

 

[tam012864]

Awesome report!!! My 10 yr old and myself are doing this in June!!! Your info is greatly appreciated!!!!!

 

[Disney owl]

great report & photos

 

[Deweysgirl]

Hi Jen, thanks sooo much for the trip report thus far! We are so psyched, we are leaving next Sunday on The Wonder and we also booked at CI for access to Aquaventure. Your details and pictures are fabulous! Do you know or in your opinion would you say there is much shade at Aquaventure? In the current is there any shade or is it full sun? How about by the chairs or umbrellas? My concern is 2 full back to back days of sun (hopefully) between this and CC and we have some winter white skin right now, lol!!

 

[nenner1]

Hi Jen, thanks sooo much for the trip report thus far! We are so psyched, we are leaving next Sunday on The Wonder and we also booked at CI for access to Aquaventure. Your details and pictures are fabulous! Do you know or in your opinion would you say there is much shade at Aquaventure? In the current is there any shade or is it full sun? How about by the chairs or umbrellas? My concern is 2 full back to back days of sun (hopefully) between this and CC and we have some winter white skin right now, lol!!

Hi Liz....
There is lots of shade around the Atlantis grounds...however most of the areas directly near the pools are in full sunlight. There are some lushly landscaped areas around, and as I recall quite a few chairs in partial shade near the Mayan Temple Pool....but in the area immediately surrounding Aquaventure (ie the Current and the Power Tower) is pretty much in direct sun. As I mentioned there were certainly ample chairs and it seemed plenty of umbrellas, however we weren't trying to get one so they may be harder to get than I implied. It may depend on how early you get out there and get set up.....If you can do it by 11 am you should be in good shape but we noticed a huge increase in population by the pools between appx 11 and noon.

As for the Current there is virtually *no* shade...there are little caves you go through but you are traveling pretty fast through those so it would be really hard to linger underneath. There is also shade in the first conveyor area, but again you are moving through, so not a lot of respite from the sun. The long conveyor up to the Power Tower (the one I have a picture of) I remember was *ridiculously* hot b/c you are pretty much out of the water for about the 20 minutes it takes to get through the bottleneck at the bottom and up to the entrance at the lower level of the PT. Once inside the PT you are in shade but we were only inside for about 5-8 mins before getting to the slide itself.

The reflection of sunlight off the water only intensifies the sun's rays, and it can get pretty darn hot, even while in the water. I would certainly recommend a fairly powerful (at least 30 SPF) waterproof sunscreen, and do not hesitate to reapply it after an hour or two. By the time you feel the sunburn on your skin, it is to late and you may be burned pretty bad. I had an OK tan when we went and still got a bit burnt, even though I used sunscreen. It was most uncomfortable the next day at CC, which is your exact concern. As nice as it is to brown up on vacation, it won't be worth the pain and suffering when you are trying to enjoy CC the next day (the ropes of the hammocks on burnt backs....owch! )

And it always bears repeating....hit the Mayan Temple slides first, those lines get so ridiculous by early afternoon, while the Power Tower lines seemed to stay steady (and fairly manageable) throughout the day.

Hope this helps you and have a fantastic cruise!!!

 

[Deweysgirl]

Thanks Jen! Awesome information, exactly what I needed to know. We will slather up with the SPF 50 all day to be safe, we'd rather be winter whities than burnt lobsters!

Thanks again!

 

[pixidustmom]

Jen, I have just finished reading both of your TR. Or at least what you have been able to finish of the 2nd one. So my question is were you pg on this last cruise or was this another souvenir you brought home?
Do you know what you are having? Will the new baby be going on it's first cruise with you this year? I wonder if you will have time to finish this TR while on maternity leave? Well, maybe with Savannah helping. I bet she will be a nice little helper. Congrats by the way. I know you are just in your third trimester but I just got done reading about you. Great job

 

[nenner1]

Jen, I have just finished reading both of your TR. Or at least what you have been able to finish of the 2nd one. So my question is were you pg on this last cruise or was this another souvenir you brought home?
Do you know what you are having? Will the new baby be going on it's first cruise with you this year? I wonder if you will have time to finish this TR while on maternity leave? Well, maybe with Savannah helping. I bet she will be a nice little helper. Congrats by the way. I know you are just in your third trimester but I just got done reading about you. Great job

Hi! Thanks for the compliments!
It turns out I *was* already pregnant prior to the cruise...but I didn't know it until a week after...I was already two weeks at the time, wish I had known cause I would have oh.....gone on less crazy water slides and had a few less bahama mama's and konk koolers...but what can ya do...
Baby # 3 is a girl, her name is Sarah. And even though she isn't due til June, I think maybe I can get the next installment up before then.
Better late than never, right?

 

[pixidustmom]

Hi! Thanks for the compliments!
It turns out I *was* already pregnant prior to the cruise...but I didn't know it until a week after...I was already two weeks at the time, wish I had known cause I would have oh.....gone on less crazy water slides and had a few less bahama mama's and konk koolers...but what can ya do...
Baby # 3 is a girl, her name is Sarah. And even though she isn't due til June, I think maybe I can get the next installment up before then.
Better late than never, right?

Your correct what can you do. I mean when our moms had us they didn't know as quickly as we do. So who knows what things they did before hand. If you would have know you wouldn't have had all that fun, not to mention it didn't hurt anything, thank goodness. Best wishes on having a the next few months uneventful.
Looking forward to more TR.

 

[nenner1]

I promised an update, and I am good for my word!

Enjoy!!!


When I left you last, we had packed on to the shuttle bus taking up back to the Port from Paradise Island. It was pretty full but we did not want to wait ½ hour for the next one because we had rather early (for us!) Palo reservations. So we had to all split up. No big deal, right? Heh. So now if you recall, on the way TO Paradise Island I was snapping pictures out of the window and we were all sightseeing. Not on the way back. One did not have the opportunity on this ride back to do anything but clutch the seat white knuckled and pray for your safe return to the mainland. This driver drove so fast, and that’s fine, except that all of the traffic in front and around him did not, so we were constantly slamming into the seat ahead of us as he stopped on a dime, or leaning into the people we were next to as he took a squealing corner. The bus was virtually silent, everybody was just looking at each other expressing our fear of certain death or dismemberment with our eyes. Those of us who had our eyes open, anyway. If we weren’t all scared for our lives, it would have been a fantastic, fun ride! Thankfully we all made it back in one piece and as we disembarked the bus gave each other knowing nods, survivors!

Now back in Nassau proper, we decided to hop into “town” to buy some souvenirs for our family. Okay who am I kidding, I needed RUM CAKE. The kids did not go into Nassau last time, so we thought they would have fun seeing the sights a bit.

Here they are on “our” street, Frederick ST:

Since we did not have a whole lot of time, we just went straight for the Tortuga Rum Cake factory. While I picked out not nearly enough of those delicious delights to bring home, the kids enjoyed gulping down the samples. (Hey. It *is* Pirate Night, after all. What harm will a little cooked up rum do?) Then we hightailed it back to the boat so I could shower and get ready.

Kids with the Rum Pirate:

While I showered and fussed, Ron stayed behind to get some pics of our verandah from outside. Pretty cool!

Up close:

And afar:

And taken from the verandah of Nassau:

After I was all dressed, we got the kids cleaned up too. Even though it was Pirate Night, this was the night Ron & I were dressing up so we wanted to try and get our lifestyle photos after our dinner. That…..was not such a good idea (ohh look how nice and bloated we are…!) Not such a great planning move. Anyhoo with the kids clean, we dropped them at the lab for –again- their favorite thing Flubber. I’m so glad they aren’t tired of it yet, cause they’re going again this year….lol!)


We headed up to deck 10 aft, and one of our favorite places on the Wonder, PALO!We were right on time for our 6:00 reservation, and were about 3rd in line (They open at 6). As he did before, Ron requested a window seat and we were prompty led to one of the best tables in the house, overlooking the starboard side and Atlantis.
Oh and the oblivious lovers looking off the deck! LOL!

Now last time we were here, we also had a window seat, but that was a late resssie, so it was already dark out. What a difference it made being there early so we had all the scenery to look at. We ordered our drinks, a draft for Ron and Toblerone martini for me. Sweet, smooth and sinful as the swiss chocolate bar itself, I could have drank about 10 of these.
Me and my chocolate sin:

We’re pretty boring when it comes to our cuisine choices at Palo. We know what we like and that’s what we get. Last visit we got a Margherita pizza, which was fantastic but we skipped the appetizer pizza this time to make more room for soufflés. Of course there is the complimentary antipasto- prosciutto, mozzarella, olives and bread basket with dips. We both chose the wild garlic mushroom appetizer, and it was just as good as we remembered. For entrees, again same ol’ same ol’…Beef Tenderloin Palo for both of us.

It’s making me drool even now:

Our server was Zoran (from Croatia I think) and he was very, very good. Though he did not bring us a bonus dessert. We both got our chocolate soufflés and they were divine. And I wasn’t too upset about not getting anything extra because it’s Pirate Night and to me that means one thing: Dessert Buffet!!!

As our dinner drew to a close, so did the day. Twilight turned to dusk, turned to night. Right at the beginning of dessert, the Wonder pulled away from the dock and sailed out to sea. Look how gorgeous:

Whoops, there's the SS Booze & Gamble!

After dinner we took a short stroll on deck before going to retrieve the kids from the club. We wanted to get those formal pics done and catch the Golden Mickey’s. when we got down to the club we were shocked by the hundred or so little pirates running amok:

Did I mention we had formal photos to go take?????

Up next: HOW many dwarves? And Yo Ho, Yo Ho some chocolate cake, and pudding, and cookies, and more cake, and pie, and other sweets for me!

 

[pixidustmom]

Jen, I am jonesing for some more TR and pics.
How are you feeling. Not too much longer until "birth day". Having any troubles with swelling with the heat?

 

[nenner1]

Jen, I am jonesing for some more TR and pics.
How are you feeling. Not too much longer until "birth day". Having any troubles with swelling with the heat?

Very close....I may be induced this weekend!

Luckily even though it is HOT down here right now, I haven't swollen up too bad. I mostly sit at work so that has helped a lot, though on long busy days I do end up with sausage feet.

As far as the next segment.....I broke my laptop power cord...still waiting on Best Buy to ship me out a new one, so I can't get to the pics. Maybe I can get another one done prior to baby day, I'll have to see how things go the rest of this week. In any event I''l have plenty of time on my hands in the weeks to come, so it won't be tooo terribly long until the next update.

 

[pixidustmom]

Wow, you will get to be induces a little early huh? That's good for you though, at this stage is when we wish it would just be over already. I can relate to the sausage feet. I have been a surrogate mom and have had them a few times. Oh that isn't fun. Stay rested keep the feet up and drink lots of water, as if you don't know that already I'm sure.
Sorry to hear about the power cord, that happened to my moms too. Can't wait to read more when you have the time. Best wises on a easy delivery and a healthy baby.

 

[PerTrainer]

Jen,
My name is Ashley and I am new to this site. I am taking my first Disney cruise with my 9yo son this September. I have been doing so much research and wanting to be very prepared when the time for the cruise comes. I have enjoyed your detailed memoir of your family's trips. I was wondering about the Tortuga Rum Cake Factory in Nassau...how do you get to it from the port? My family would love the cakes as a souvenir from our trip!

 

[Monica D]

Good luck Jen! Coming from another Sarah mom, I'm wishing you all the best!!

 

[nenner1]

Jen,
My name is Ashley and I am new to this site. I am taking my first Disney cruise with my 9yo son this September. I have been doing so much research and wanting to be very prepared when the time for the cruise comes. I have enjoyed your detailed memoir of your family's trips. I was wondering about the Tortuga Rum Cake Factory in Nassau...how do you get to it from the port? My family would love the cakes as a souvenir from our trip!

Welcome Ashley!

Tortuga is really easy to find...though it isn't easy to explain. When the boat docks in Nassau, you have to walk through a big yellow "welcome" building. When you come out the other side of the building (straight through as if you were walking straight from the boat towards inland.) You will encounter a street running left and right (sorry no idea which way is north/south/east/west) Turn right and follow this road. You are walking in the direction of the Straw Market (which is a big white tent, you can see it from the boat) and Senor Frog's. When you get to Frederick St. turn left and it is the second shop on the right. Its about a 5 minute walk from the boat. It is on the maps they hand out at the shopping talk and that come with your Navigators. Hope that helps you a little bit...if it doesn't confuse you more!

Enjoy your cruise!

PS FWIW my fave is the original, I guess cause it has nuts in it. Yum-MY!

And thanks for the well wishes everyone...I have 13 days to go....plan is to induce on the 20th!

 

[MagicMe]

Jen - Just made it through your trip report (or at least what you've posted so far). I'll be on your next cruise (the DD in SEP08). Can't wait to read the rest of your report and of course, to meet little Sarah!

 

[pixidustmom]

And thanks for the well wishes everyone...I have 13 days to go....plan is to induce on the 20th!
__________________
Best wishes to you.

 

[nenner1]

Jen - Just made it through your trip report (or at least what you've posted so far). I'll be on your next cruise (the DD in SEP08). Can't wait to read the rest of your report and of course, to meet little Sarah!

Hi!

Have you checked out our meet thread? What a wonderful bunch of cruisemates we have!!!

Here's hoping I have a nice box waiting on my porch for me when I get home (with a power cord inside). Its so frustrating not having my computer. Can't get *anything* done at work....not anything important, like shopping and reading TR's and such.....sigh.....

 

[PerTrainer]

Jen
Thank you so much for getting back to me.....I know you must have so much going on with a little one coming soon!! I am hoping the rum cakes taste as good as everyone has said. I have also gotten some great info for preparing me for our trip and I thank you for sharing so that us new to be cruisers can have a better planned trip. Thanks!!!