PoohJen
<font color=green>Willing to share a Mickey Bar?<b
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2004
Magical Cruise NOT to Tortola!
Hello, hello, hello! Welcome to my trip report for the August 15-22 Eastern turned Western cruise on the Disney Magic! Fair warning my trip reports tend to be long and detailed! So sit back and enjoy the ride!
The Cast: DH and myself early 40s (okay, maybe mid-40s), DS16 and DS twins aged 12, and DMom 68ish. This was our 3d cruise on the Magic (second for Mom); Dtwins, Mom and I also enjoyed a quickie on the Wonder in Dec 2007 thats when we booked this Magical cruise!
A brief pre-trip report
Despite having booked this almost 2 years ago, we were packing, making embarkation t-shirts and door signs right down to the last minute! Doh!
Our trip began Thursday after work, when we drove 12 hours to Florida from Virginia. DHs parents live near Cocoa, and we arrived at their house around 4 a.m. I got up a few hours later to check on DS12, who had some bladder issues in the last 24 hours. He now complained of a pain in his lower back, so off we went to the medical clinic. Early tests showed not a UTI, but more likely kidney concerns, so a CAT scan was ordered. The doc was great, but warned we probably wouldnt be cruising! For 4 hours we waited for medical tests, etc. DS fought back tears about the cruise, I was disappointed, but more concerned about what could be wrong. Good news! Further diagnostics did after all just show a UTI, and the doc cleared DS to travel! DS burst out sobbing at the news, he was so relieved! And so were we! Divine intervention, for sure!
Note: I was disappointed but not devastated when we thought we wouldnt be cruising, b/c I had trip insurance and knew wed just rebook a cruise in the near future. Although I never needed the insurance, I sure am glad now that I had it, for peace of mind!
Tip: If you are travelling some distance, I can't emphasize enough coming in the day before you cruise - you just never know what might hold you up!
Later that afternoon, after Mom arrived at Orlando airport and we hit up Walmart for a manicure, we all headed to Downtown Disney to celebrate DHs parents 50th wedding anniversary! (and of course some pre-cruise pin trading!).
We had dinner at the Irish restaurant, Raglan Road. A very Irish/English menu, tasty and filling. Pleasant surroundings and service. The bread pudding was to die for!
Next on to the Grand Floridian to pick up our pontoon ride. We stopped inside the busy atrium to enjoy the jazz band and a little bit of the pianist, before heading out to the marina. As a special anniversary treat for my inlaws, we had booked a Fireworks Cruise out of the Grand Floridian. It was a beautiful, clear evening, quite balmy. We cruised around the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake, enjoying the calm evening and the majestic Disney resorts all lit up for the night. We had front row seats for the Electrical Water Pageant, a cute musical light parade. From there we cruised over toward Magic Kingdom, positioning ourselves for a perfect, private viewing of Cinderellas Castle and the Wishes fireworks show. Wow! This little boat ride was really SUCH a treat, a unique, special experience. I recommend it highly! I know I was all smiles, and felt the sentimental Disney tears welling up already (okay, maybe I was tired from lack of sleep, or still so relieved over DSs doctor visits this morning) the first of many this trip!
Wishes Fireworks Cruise
Next - All Aboard!
Hello, hello, hello! Welcome to my trip report for the August 15-22 Eastern turned Western cruise on the Disney Magic! Fair warning my trip reports tend to be long and detailed! So sit back and enjoy the ride!
The Cast: DH and myself early 40s (okay, maybe mid-40s), DS16 and DS twins aged 12, and DMom 68ish. This was our 3d cruise on the Magic (second for Mom); Dtwins, Mom and I also enjoyed a quickie on the Wonder in Dec 2007 thats when we booked this Magical cruise!
A brief pre-trip report
Despite having booked this almost 2 years ago, we were packing, making embarkation t-shirts and door signs right down to the last minute! Doh!
Our trip began Thursday after work, when we drove 12 hours to Florida from Virginia. DHs parents live near Cocoa, and we arrived at their house around 4 a.m. I got up a few hours later to check on DS12, who had some bladder issues in the last 24 hours. He now complained of a pain in his lower back, so off we went to the medical clinic. Early tests showed not a UTI, but more likely kidney concerns, so a CAT scan was ordered. The doc was great, but warned we probably wouldnt be cruising! For 4 hours we waited for medical tests, etc. DS fought back tears about the cruise, I was disappointed, but more concerned about what could be wrong. Good news! Further diagnostics did after all just show a UTI, and the doc cleared DS to travel! DS burst out sobbing at the news, he was so relieved! And so were we! Divine intervention, for sure!
Note: I was disappointed but not devastated when we thought we wouldnt be cruising, b/c I had trip insurance and knew wed just rebook a cruise in the near future. Although I never needed the insurance, I sure am glad now that I had it, for peace of mind!
Tip: If you are travelling some distance, I can't emphasize enough coming in the day before you cruise - you just never know what might hold you up!
Later that afternoon, after Mom arrived at Orlando airport and we hit up Walmart for a manicure, we all headed to Downtown Disney to celebrate DHs parents 50th wedding anniversary! (and of course some pre-cruise pin trading!).
We had dinner at the Irish restaurant, Raglan Road. A very Irish/English menu, tasty and filling. Pleasant surroundings and service. The bread pudding was to die for!
Next on to the Grand Floridian to pick up our pontoon ride. We stopped inside the busy atrium to enjoy the jazz band and a little bit of the pianist, before heading out to the marina. As a special anniversary treat for my inlaws, we had booked a Fireworks Cruise out of the Grand Floridian. It was a beautiful, clear evening, quite balmy. We cruised around the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake, enjoying the calm evening and the majestic Disney resorts all lit up for the night. We had front row seats for the Electrical Water Pageant, a cute musical light parade. From there we cruised over toward Magic Kingdom, positioning ourselves for a perfect, private viewing of Cinderellas Castle and the Wishes fireworks show. Wow! This little boat ride was really SUCH a treat, a unique, special experience. I recommend it highly! I know I was all smiles, and felt the sentimental Disney tears welling up already (okay, maybe I was tired from lack of sleep, or still so relieved over DSs doctor visits this morning) the first of many this trip!
Wishes Fireworks Cruise
Next - All Aboard!