We don't wanna go home!!! Nov 1-8, 2008 Magic Western

[podsnel]

Hey neighbor!! I am a self-proclaimed trip report lurker! I read them and read them and never respond. But since you are my neighbor AND since I will be taking the Western Cruise (my first cruise ever) in less than 8 months now AND since I might want someone to repsond to MY trip report if I do one........

I just wanted to say I love the report so far! I can't wait to read more about the cruise!

Hi Nikki! Enjoying the half day? I'm so glad you're reading!! And I promise to read your TR- I can't wait to relive the Magic!!!

 

[dvc4life]

Hi! I have been reading your TR and enjoying it a great deal. We got off the ship on Nov 1st and reading your report is taking me back. Thanks for the MNSSHP report. We weren't able to go this year, so I lived it through you and your pictures. We just weren't able to swing it this year. It is one of our family's favorite times to be there. We were happy to be able to spend one day at EPCOT with friends for the Wine & Food Festival. We had such fun.

Anyways, keep posting with your wonderful pictures. I love seeing them!!!!!

 

[Camster0307]

We were very, very happy. Then we came home and were very, very sad! But my friend Cammie had just started her trip, so everyday she would TM me a photo or note from WDW, and it REALLY helped me ease out of awesome vacay mode!

Happy to oblige!

I was afraid I might be bugging you with my endless texts - glad to hear it was the exact opposite. Feel free to do the same to me the next time you're down there!

 

[podsnel]

So at 1:15 we were only 15 minutes away from being able to get into our cabin. We had checked most everything, including the case of water we bought for $4 on the way to port, so carrying the carry-on and a couple of wine bags was no big deal. We went up to Topsiders, and hit the buffet-

Looking for a table out on deck, we met boyspapa and DW who were just leaving, so we were able to have their table. Thanks, Carl! I was so glad to meet them, because we had some plans together on this cruise- we would be having brunch at Palo together and swimming with the dolphins in Cozumel together.

We were all anxious to see our cabin, so that's where we went next. And I started to worry about the box I had shipped down a couple of weeks before- what if it's not there? Here we are, cabin#7076-

But, of course, I had worried for nothing, because there was the box, right on our bed. Everyone was happy about the cabin- DS9 kept on closing the curtain all week saying "You go in your room, we'll go in our room!". DH was impressed by the size of the cabin, too- it was bigger than others we have been in in the past. And that split bathroom was a really nice feature! As well as those nice size Spa products on the shelf-

And look at all the cool free stuff everyone gets on a Disney Cruise!!! Korbel champagne-

White chocolate champagne glasses (which the DSs immediately chowed down), a DCL wine bucket and 2 DCL spa robes-

Ok- I have a little secret to tell you- not everyone gets this for free on DCL. Sorry for the tease. But my DH doesn't know that. He to this day believes that this is just how nice it is on a Disney Cruise. But really? I got the REAS . Because it's my 1st Disney Cruise. And I'm a foodie. And I really wanted to go to Palo. All three times to Palo, for brunch, tea and dinner. And a first time cruiser books Palo 75 days out. After all the repeat cruisers booked at 90 days out. And they booked after the lucky cruisers who were in suites booked at 105 days out....along with me, and whoever else booked the REAS. I know, it's somewhat deceptive. But I had some cash leftover from a girls trip I had been on, so I figured, why not? I actually got a debit card to book it with so it wouldn't be on our Disney Visa, where my CPA-bill-paying DH would have seen it. And I can PROMISE you, he enjoyed it. So it's a win/win, right? Look, just be glad I use my evil deceptiveness for the good and not the bad!

While they ate the chocolate, I ripped open my box and hung up my FE (thanks, Tiffany!) and decorated my door.

More door later. We had some time before our Dismeet, so we thought we could go see where the boys clubs were. DS9 was in Ocean Lab-

And DS11 was in Ocean Quest

I have to be honest, DH and I were a little concerned after seeing so much stuff in Ocean Lab that DS11 was going to be bored in OQ...it was just smaller in there. Oh man, were we WAAAAAYYYYY off on that one- DS11 had the time of his life in OQ! As a matter of fact, this was the only visit to either club that the boys left quickly from- the rest of the week, we could barely get them outta there!

By now it was 3:00, and that meant we had to get to the Promenade Lounge for the Dismeet!! I couldn't wait to meet all the people from our thread who I had been getting psyched with for nearly a year. It all happened so fast, before I knew it we were up on the steps for a big picture-

I would just like to point out, standing right behind my left shoulder is....Jenny2!

Back to the cabin and our luggage had arrived, I had a little time before the Muster Drill to do some unpacking-

Hey look! We're right next to LBIgirl67!

Time to get to the Sailaway Party!!! But exactly who wants to go?

 

[Camster0307]

I'd like the identities of all the DISers in that picture, please!

 

[TigerKat]

I'd like the identities of all the DISers in that picture, please!

You beat me to it.....

 

[Camster0307]

You beat me to it.....

Great minds think alike!

 

[wuv tigger]

in front wearing the lime green shirts

 

[mindelmouse]

Great Trip report...i feel like i'm reliving the experience. I'm on the other side of stairs from you.....about the same step as Jenny2

 

[podsnel]

Great Trip report...i feel like i'm reliving the experience. I'm on the other side of stairs from you.....about the same step as Jenny2

Mindy, weren't you and your husband at the post office on CC when I was, waiting for stamps? With Brent (who looked strangely familiar.....) calling for a postman?

 

[alan_renfroe]

Awesome updates and pictures, Ellen! The Renfroes are totally living vicariously through your family at this point. Can't wait for the next installment!

(By the way, we officially booked our May trip today! We're excited!)

 

[karajeboo]

I think my husband would blow a gasket if I told him I booked us for a big DIS meet! He rolled his eyes enough when I met up with Cammie last weekend! BTW, Cammie, he thinks you're "normal" so you're okay in his book!

I'm not so patiently waiting!!!!! I need this TR to convince my husband we need to try DCL!!! Jeff has learned to trust the DIS so I tell him about all the TRs I read. So then when I'm taking pics of food and such, and writing my own TRs, he understands that I'm giving back, since I've gotten so much info from reading others'!

 

[mindelmouse]

Mindy, weren't you and your husband at the post office on CC when I was, waiting for stamps? With Brent (who looked strangely familiar.....) calling for a postman?

My hubby is not in the group picture..he was picking up my son at the arcade. We didn't see Brent at all on CC. As soon as I figure out how to post my pictures.....I had a tee shirt on that said making magical memories and mickey stick figures of my family and our friends

 

[podsnel]

Awesome updates and pictures, Ellen! The Renfroes are totally living vicariously through your family at this point. Can't wait for the next installment!

(By the way, we officially booked our May trip today! We're excited!)

So what are your May dates?

I think my husband would blow a gasket if I told him I booked us for a big DIS meet! He rolled his eyes enough when I met up with Cammie last weekend! BTW, Cammie, he thinks you're "normal" so you're okay in his book!

I'm not so patiently waiting!!!!! I need this TR to convince my husband we need to try DCL!!! Jeff has learned to trust the DIS so I tell him about all the TRs I read. So then when I'm taking pics of food and such, and writing my own TRs, he understands that I'm giving back, since I've gotten so much info from reading others'!

Hey- I'm normal, too!!! I'll do my best to convince him- if you would meet me in May at WDW, I could convince him in person- THAT would be even better!

My hubby is not in the group picture..he was picking up my son at the arcade. We didn't see Brent at all on CC. As soon as I figure out how to post my pictures.....I had a tee shirt on that said making magical memories and mickey stick figures of my family and our friends

So are you on the other side of Mickey?

 

[mindelmouse]

So are you on the other side of Mickey?[/QUOTE]

I towards the top row...have a white t shirt with the design enclosed in a red box.

 

[podsnel]

We dumped the life vests back in the cabin and high tailed it up to deck 9 for the Sailaway party. We got there so quickly, there were only maybe 2 other families up there yet. EXCELLENT!!! Or so I think. The men have another agenda entirely different from mine, which does not involve singing and dancing an inch away from the stage and Mickey Mouse. They preferred to spend time with Mickey another way-

I mean, can you blame them? No one was there!

Like a Mickey ear hot tub- hmmmm....I wonder what makes the water so warm in that Mickey ear?

Well, that's all well and good, but I know where I need to be- so DH stays with them and his new cruise buddy, the big refillable beer mug. As a side note, I would just like to say, I had mentioned this mug to DH about 9 months ago. This is the big mug you purchase and they refill it throughout the cruise at the price of a little beer. His response to this great revelation was, "I don't care. I don't drink that much beer." So guess what he bought for himself as soon as he was on his own for 2 minutes? Apparently, he DOES drink that much beer. I'm just sayin...

Anyway, then I go to our first Sailaway....alone. Aww....get over it! I did! Especially because some woman stood next to me and danced, so I didn't feel silly jumping up and down by myself.

But now- no more stagefront. I was up on Deck 10- but that's ok, Deck 10 has a great view!

And the horn blows, and I tear up, because I can't believe it's finally here, after years of wanting to come, we're on the Magic, and the streamers fly....

...and it is the most awesome thing ever. We set sail! Bye-bye, Cape Canaveral-

I return to the Mickey pool, and the family is nowhere to be found. So I check in the cabin, and there they are- and we are all ready for some action! I throw a few more magnets on my door- and don'tcha know, I can't even take a photo that shows the whole door because my magnets went all the way to the floor-

I meant to take a better pic later, really I did, but I don't think I ever got around to it- sorry! Anyway, the boys wanted to see what those clubs were all about, so DS11 went to his, and we signed in DS9 in his, and then DH & I went in search of something to keep me awake at Cove Cafe-

We were just in time for some little snacks they put out, so we took my Keuko (I think) coffee and snacks outside to those comfy chairs and watched as the world and all its responsibilities faded away...

DH & I did a little exploring, checking out Beat Street-

-where we would spend LOTS of time in the next week at all the bars (or as DS9 said, the grown-up clubs). Then a peek at Studio Sea-

Then we get everyone back to the cabin to get ready for our first dinner which is going to be at Lumiere's!

 

[Camster0307]

I think my husband would blow a gasket if I told him I booked us for a big DIS meet! He rolled his eyes enough when I met up with Cammie last weekend! BTW, Cammie, he thinks you're "normal" so you're okay in his book!

Fooled another one!

 

[podsnel]

And I would never want to forget this, it was sooo sweet!

After the Dismeet, WuvTigger said she had a little something for me to say thanks for organizing the FE exchange. I went to her cabin, and she gave me the cutest Tinkerbell memo board!! How sweet is that? Thanks, Judy- we left messages for each other all week on that board!

 

[wuv tigger]

And I would never want to forget this, it was sooo sweet!

After the Dismeet, WuvTigger said she had a little something for me to say thanks for organizing the FE exchange. I went to her cabin, and she gave me the cutest Tinkerbell memo board!! How sweet is that? Thanks, Judy- we left messages for each other all week on that board!

You are SO welcome! Dh picked it up & I thought of you the 1st time I saw it!

wuv tigger

 

[UGAFan0829]

Hi, Ellen!
I came over to the trip report board looking for a report on the Western Caribbean, and I foud yours, and I am so glad I did! My DH and I doing the Western next September to celebrate our 10th anniversary, so I wanted to read about other DIS'ers experiences.
I am LOVING your report so far! Just like you, I love food and pics, so your report is right up my alley!
I cannot wait to read more! Thanks so much for posting!