FauntleroyFAN07
Commander of Donalds Crew Oh Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2007
welcome back
The Sea Witch Stole My Voice! Our Two Week Land and Sea Adventure! COMPLETE 4/12
- Thread starter Lifelong_Dreamer
- Start date
Lifelong_Dreamer
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2007
Not back, still out here on vacation until Tuesday. I have been managing to sneak on for a few minutes here and there. Right now everybody else has gone to sleep so I am grabbing some Dis time. 
englishrose47
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2007
Hi Lessa !!!
carissanboys
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2004
Lots of great pictures from Star Wars Weekend - especially the parade. My boys would really love to go during that weekend.
And crazy stalker lady - oh my goodness!
I am so excited to hear all about the cruise!!
And crazy stalker lady - oh my goodness!
I am so excited to hear all about the cruise!!
Lifelong_Dreamer
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2007
Lots of great pictures from Star Wars Weekend - especially the parade. My boys would really love to go during that weekend.
And crazy stalker lady - oh my goodness!
I am so excited to hear all about the cruise!!
It is a lot of fun, too bad the rain cut the Star Wars activities short. I would have liked to get more character photos and to see the closing show. Oh well, maybe some other year!
lisalonglash
Yes, I love Pluto!
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2007
Wow! What a teaser for the cruise!! Those pictures are just spectacular! I hope your latest adventure was fun! 
I hope your latest adventure was fun!
Lifelong_Dreamer
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2007
Wow! What a teaser for the cruise!! Those pictures are just spectacular!
Yep, we have been having a good time out here in BC. Right now though we are being smothered by smoke from the wildfires. Thank goodness it wasn't like this the whole trip! At least the rain curse has been broken! Well sorta. Since it rarely rains in the Okanagan we get wildfires and smoke instead.
englishrose47
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2007
Hi Lessa !! Have you made any new plans for the Stepmudda !!!!
GeminiAngel
Wherever you go, there you are.
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2003
Yep, we have been having a good time out here in BC. Right now though we are being smothered by smoke from the wildfires. Thank goodness it wasn't like this the whole trip! At least the rain curse has been broken! Well sorta. Since it rarely rains in the Okanagan we get wildfires and smoke instead.
I feel your pain about smoke from the wildfires. Vegas is a brown haze from all the fires in Los Angeles. Its so bad! Can't wait for more!
Lifelong_Dreamer
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2007
Hey guys!
I am back from my vacation and my photobucket account is back up and working so you know what that means? I can start the cruise report!
I am back from my vacation and my photobucket account is back up and working so you know what that means? I can start the cruise report!
princess_momma
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2009
Lifelong_Dreamer
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2007
Saturday May 23rd had finally arrived and I was so excited! I was also a bit nervous. This was my first cruise and even though I had done tons and tons of research and learned everything there was to know about Disney Cruise Line you just never know how things are going to go until you experience it for yourself. So their was the excitement of a new adventure and also a little bit of nervousness to go along with it.
Mom and I had already packed the bags up the night before so all we had to do that morning was shower, eat and then head on out of there.
It was a beautiful sunny day in Orlando. Go figure that the day we leave the weather is beautiful.
While I showered Mom went down to the food court to pick up some Mickey waffles for breakfast and to fill our mugs up one last time.
Stomachs full it was time to hit the road!
First we had to stop to put some gas in the car (we had only used a half tank of gas the entire week we were at Disney). We filled up at the Hess station at the Boardwalk. It was really weird but you had to enter your zip code to use your credit card to pay at the pump. Well up here in Canada we do not have zip codes, we have postal codes (K7M 6G9 instead 23454). So Mom had to go in and pay for the gas in the store.
That taken care of we were truly on our way.
Port Canaveral is really easy to get to from Disney. You just get on the highway and drive straight until you get there. Easy peasy.
Well remember how I said it was a beautiful sunny day in Orlando? Well the closer we got to the port the darker the skies got. They just kept getting darker and darker the closer we drove and then when we were almost there..... it started to pour! It was torrential, I could barely see due to the rain which made driving difficult. Everybody on the highway was inching forward going really slowly.
Thank goodness once we got into the port it slowed down, but only a little bit, it was still raining pretty heavily but at least I could see.
I found the Budget location really easily. It is right on the main road on the right.
When we pulled in we saw this sign which we thought was hilarious.
We know that alligators live all over Florida but this was the first time we saw a sign warning people about them.
Mom unloaded all our luggage and waited in the shuttle pick-up area while I went inside to drop off the car keys.
There was already a couple being helped at the desk but I was next in line. While I was waiting to be helped some more people came in to pick up their rentals. Turns out they had just gotten off the Magic so I had a nice little chat with them about their cruise and my upcoming one.
Well remember that couple who was being helped at the desk? Well they were really holding everybody up. They didn't understand why they had to put a credit card deposit down on their rental car if they wanted to pay in cash. The rental agent kept trying to explain it was policy but they kept arguing and arguing. They finally agreed to put a credit card down but the credit card was not in the name of the person renting the car which is also a no-no so they argued some more. Didn't they know I was anxious to get to the port and the rest were anxious to get on their way as well?! So aggravating!
Finally the rude couple finished up and I was able to drop the keys off and head out to meet with Mom.
The reason we chose to rent our car from Budget this trip is because they offer a free shuttle to and from the ship, made everything much easier.
Luck was on our side and a shuttle pulled up almost as soon as I was out the doors. The driver loaded our bags while we grabbed a seat and then we were on our way to the ship. We were the only people on the shuttle and we had a nice little chat with the driver who was also a Disney fan.
It was still raining at this point so my first picture of the Magic as we approached is not all that magical....
The shuttle drop-off is right near the terminal, we were super early though and the terminal wasn't even open yet so we had to wait outside in the shuttle drop-off area with the rest of the early birds.
The area is covered but because of the wind the rain still got to us and everybody standing there waiting was nice and wet and cold. Not a great way to start off a cruise!
It felt like we were waiting forever for the terminal to open because of how cold and wet we were but it really wasn't all that long before the porters started to come around to collect the bags.
Our bags handed over we got in line to pass through security and enter the terminal.
The first step of Security is to show your photo id so that they can check your name on the passenger list. After that you can head into the terminal where your carry-on bags go through a scanner and you go through a metal detector, just like at the airport but without the liquid restrictions.
It was quick and painless and we were through in a matter of minutes.
Next you head up the escalators to the main area of the terminal where you check-in and wait for boarding.
We were some of the first people up there and we were able to snag the coveted number 2 boarding pass! There are only about 10 or so of these and this meant that we would be pretty much the first guests on the ship. The only people who would get to board before us were the concierge(suites) guests and the Family of the Day.
The boarding pass was given to us when we checked in which was also very easy and quick. We simply handed over our passports for her to check, she needed to see the credit card we wished to use for onboard charging and that was that.
Next step was to go over and get our security photo taken. This was a new feature they had just started to use. The picture is not on your card but it shows up on their security screens when they swipe you on and off the ship in ports and I think it probably also shows up when you charge something on the ship as a way to verify it is in fact your card.
I think the whole check-in/photo process took maybe 10 minutes max.
So now all we had to do was wait. They usually start boarding the ship around 11:30 and it was now around 10:30.
Mom and I grabbed some seats and then took turns going to the bathroom to try and dry off.
They had Disney cartoons playing all over to keep the kids entertained while they waited and the seating was very comfy.
You go through the Mickey Ears to board the ship.
I forgot to mention this earlier in this update but that morning when I went to put on my flip flops I couldn't! My feet were super swollen! Mom's were also really swollen as well. We couldn't figure it out, the only thing I could think of is that it was a result of walking around in the rain for a week.
Here's an example of how swollen Mom's feet were, not very pretty!
While waiting to board I saw Captain Mickey come out for pictures so I jumped up and got in line right away. Good thing I did as the line got super long really quickly. Since Mom was not in line with me a nice lady offered to take a picture with my camera.
There was of course a ship photographer there as well taking pictures but I had no intention of buying photos on the ship as they are super expensive!
After the picture I went back and joined Mom where she was having a conversation with the lady sitting next to us. She was traveling with her sister and mother. We would see her often throughout the cruise and it turned out that she was a Diser! It was funny though as we didn't realize that we "knew" each other from the boards until after we got back from the cruise.
Another family sat down next to us, an older couple traveling with their two adult daughters. Well one of their daughters was causing such a scene, yelling at them saying how they ruined the trip already and how they should get a divorce and she would pay for it. It was very uncomfortable having to overhear her talking to them like that. She eventually stopped and after a while the couple started up a conversation with us. We chatted with them until we were called to board. It is rather funny but we saw these two families that we chatted with almost every day. We were always running into the father of the second family. Everywhere we went, there he was!
The terminal was nice and packed now and I knew boarding was going to start soon. Goofy came out for pictures but the line was way too long. Mom snuck a picture of him real quick though.
Right at 11:30 they started the boarding process. When they called boarding group number 2 Mom and I jumped up and made our way to the Mickey ears. Now here is where I have a complaint and it is a complaint about people in general and that just those at the terminal that day as this happens everywhere.
Mom and I had to fight through a crowd of people who were all crowding around the entrance even though their number had not been called yet. Why do people do this?! Just back off and wait for your turn instead of making it difficult for those whose turn it IS to get to where they need to go. I see this happen all the time at airports too and I don't understand it.
So Mom and I made it through the crowd and through the ears. They stop you at this point as they have to scan your Key to the World card. You then are stopped to get your embarkation picture taken which you can purchase at Shutters (onboard photo shop).
After that you cross the gangway and you are on the ship!
Click here to continue
Mom and I had already packed the bags up the night before so all we had to do that morning was shower, eat and then head on out of there.
It was a beautiful sunny day in Orlando. Go figure that the day we leave the weather is beautiful.
While I showered Mom went down to the food court to pick up some Mickey waffles for breakfast and to fill our mugs up one last time.
Stomachs full it was time to hit the road!
First we had to stop to put some gas in the car (we had only used a half tank of gas the entire week we were at Disney). We filled up at the Hess station at the Boardwalk. It was really weird but you had to enter your zip code to use your credit card to pay at the pump. Well up here in Canada we do not have zip codes, we have postal codes (K7M 6G9 instead 23454). So Mom had to go in and pay for the gas in the store.
That taken care of we were truly on our way.
Port Canaveral is really easy to get to from Disney. You just get on the highway and drive straight until you get there. Easy peasy.
Well remember how I said it was a beautiful sunny day in Orlando? Well the closer we got to the port the darker the skies got. They just kept getting darker and darker the closer we drove and then when we were almost there..... it started to pour! It was torrential, I could barely see due to the rain which made driving difficult. Everybody on the highway was inching forward going really slowly.
Thank goodness once we got into the port it slowed down, but only a little bit, it was still raining pretty heavily but at least I could see.
I found the Budget location really easily. It is right on the main road on the right.
When we pulled in we saw this sign which we thought was hilarious.
We know that alligators live all over Florida but this was the first time we saw a sign warning people about them.
Mom unloaded all our luggage and waited in the shuttle pick-up area while I went inside to drop off the car keys.
There was already a couple being helped at the desk but I was next in line. While I was waiting to be helped some more people came in to pick up their rentals. Turns out they had just gotten off the Magic so I had a nice little chat with them about their cruise and my upcoming one.
Well remember that couple who was being helped at the desk? Well they were really holding everybody up. They didn't understand why they had to put a credit card deposit down on their rental car if they wanted to pay in cash. The rental agent kept trying to explain it was policy but they kept arguing and arguing. They finally agreed to put a credit card down but the credit card was not in the name of the person renting the car which is also a no-no so they argued some more. Didn't they know I was anxious to get to the port and the rest were anxious to get on their way as well?! So aggravating!
Finally the rude couple finished up and I was able to drop the keys off and head out to meet with Mom.
The reason we chose to rent our car from Budget this trip is because they offer a free shuttle to and from the ship, made everything much easier.
Luck was on our side and a shuttle pulled up almost as soon as I was out the doors. The driver loaded our bags while we grabbed a seat and then we were on our way to the ship. We were the only people on the shuttle and we had a nice little chat with the driver who was also a Disney fan.
It was still raining at this point so my first picture of the Magic as we approached is not all that magical....
The shuttle drop-off is right near the terminal, we were super early though and the terminal wasn't even open yet so we had to wait outside in the shuttle drop-off area with the rest of the early birds.
The area is covered but because of the wind the rain still got to us and everybody standing there waiting was nice and wet and cold. Not a great way to start off a cruise!
It felt like we were waiting forever for the terminal to open because of how cold and wet we were but it really wasn't all that long before the porters started to come around to collect the bags.
Our bags handed over we got in line to pass through security and enter the terminal.
The first step of Security is to show your photo id so that they can check your name on the passenger list. After that you can head into the terminal where your carry-on bags go through a scanner and you go through a metal detector, just like at the airport but without the liquid restrictions.
It was quick and painless and we were through in a matter of minutes.
Next you head up the escalators to the main area of the terminal where you check-in and wait for boarding.
We were some of the first people up there and we were able to snag the coveted number 2 boarding pass! There are only about 10 or so of these and this meant that we would be pretty much the first guests on the ship. The only people who would get to board before us were the concierge(suites) guests and the Family of the Day.
The boarding pass was given to us when we checked in which was also very easy and quick. We simply handed over our passports for her to check, she needed to see the credit card we wished to use for onboard charging and that was that.
Next step was to go over and get our security photo taken. This was a new feature they had just started to use. The picture is not on your card but it shows up on their security screens when they swipe you on and off the ship in ports and I think it probably also shows up when you charge something on the ship as a way to verify it is in fact your card.
I think the whole check-in/photo process took maybe 10 minutes max.
So now all we had to do was wait. They usually start boarding the ship around 11:30 and it was now around 10:30.
Mom and I grabbed some seats and then took turns going to the bathroom to try and dry off.
They had Disney cartoons playing all over to keep the kids entertained while they waited and the seating was very comfy.
You go through the Mickey Ears to board the ship.
I forgot to mention this earlier in this update but that morning when I went to put on my flip flops I couldn't! My feet were super swollen! Mom's were also really swollen as well. We couldn't figure it out, the only thing I could think of is that it was a result of walking around in the rain for a week.
Here's an example of how swollen Mom's feet were, not very pretty!
While waiting to board I saw Captain Mickey come out for pictures so I jumped up and got in line right away. Good thing I did as the line got super long really quickly. Since Mom was not in line with me a nice lady offered to take a picture with my camera.
There was of course a ship photographer there as well taking pictures but I had no intention of buying photos on the ship as they are super expensive!
After the picture I went back and joined Mom where she was having a conversation with the lady sitting next to us. She was traveling with her sister and mother. We would see her often throughout the cruise and it turned out that she was a Diser! It was funny though as we didn't realize that we "knew" each other from the boards until after we got back from the cruise.
Another family sat down next to us, an older couple traveling with their two adult daughters. Well one of their daughters was causing such a scene, yelling at them saying how they ruined the trip already and how they should get a divorce and she would pay for it. It was very uncomfortable having to overhear her talking to them like that. She eventually stopped and after a while the couple started up a conversation with us. We chatted with them until we were called to board. It is rather funny but we saw these two families that we chatted with almost every day. We were always running into the father of the second family. Everywhere we went, there he was!
The terminal was nice and packed now and I knew boarding was going to start soon. Goofy came out for pictures but the line was way too long. Mom snuck a picture of him real quick though.
Right at 11:30 they started the boarding process. When they called boarding group number 2 Mom and I jumped up and made our way to the Mickey ears. Now here is where I have a complaint and it is a complaint about people in general and that just those at the terminal that day as this happens everywhere.
Mom and I had to fight through a crowd of people who were all crowding around the entrance even though their number had not been called yet. Why do people do this?! Just back off and wait for your turn instead of making it difficult for those whose turn it IS to get to where they need to go. I see this happen all the time at airports too and I don't understand it.
So Mom and I made it through the crowd and through the ears. They stop you at this point as they have to scan your Key to the World card. You then are stopped to get your embarkation picture taken which you can purchase at Shutters (onboard photo shop).
After that you cross the gangway and you are on the ship!
Click here to continue
LOVEMY3KIDDOS
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 31, 2009
So far so good! Glad you had a nice vacation, but glad you are back to hear about the cruise!
Lifelong_Dreamer
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2007
Evette
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2008
Looking forward to reading your TR here as well. We are on the same cruise to Tortola in only 10 days, but we leave for WDW in just 3. 
Since this is our first cruise too I can appreciate how you felt. Thanks for all the info on checking in at the terminal etc., that way I know what to expect. We won't get to the terminal as early because we will be taking DCL transportation from SSR . I hope we have time to at least look around the terminal.
Can't wait to read more.....
Since this is our first cruise too I can appreciate how you felt. Thanks for all the info on checking in at the terminal etc., that way I know what to expect. We won't get to the terminal as early because we will be taking DCL transportation from SSR . I hope we have time to at least look around the terminal. Can't wait to read more.....
Lifelong_Dreamer
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2007
Looking forward to reading your TR here as well. We are on the same cruise to Tortola in only 10 days, but we leave for WDW in just 3.
Can't wait to read more.....
I hope that you have a great cruise! It can all be overwhelming at first so make sure that you take time to relax and don't feel like you need to rush around to fit in all the activities.
DisneyJo
Missing my tags!
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2006
The photos are back Lessa and I'm all caught up 
Wow stalker lady was strange wasn't she and I'm sorry but I did have to laugh about the members of the public joining in the parade as characters
AKL looks so lovely, I can't wait to stay there in 3 weeks 1 day, not that I'm counting, hope I don't overlook the parking lot though
I so agree with you about people and airport queues, why do they not just get out of the way until their number is called?!!!!
Wow stalker lady was strange wasn't she and I'm sorry but I did have to laugh about the members of the public joining in the parade as characters
AKL looks so lovely, I can't wait to stay there in 3 weeks 1 day, not that I'm counting
, hope I don't overlook the parking lot though I so agree with you about people and airport queues, why do they not just get out of the way until their number is called?!!!!
Lifelong_Dreamer
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2007
The photos are back Lessa and I'm all caught up
Wow stalker lady was strange wasn't she and I'm sorry but I did have to laugh about the members of the public joining in the parade as characters
Yeah I laugh at that too. I think it is cute that all the kids with light sabers get to join in but well lets just say I will never be such an extreme fan of anything that I personally own a costume like those people did that I could join in a parade. To each their own I guess, I can't judge, whatever floats their boat. If that is what they enjoy well good for them.
And hey Disney got to save some money by not having to hire as many people to be in the parade. AKL looks so lovely, I can't wait to stay there in 3 weeks 1 day, not that I'm counting
Lucky!
Yep, I find it super annoying!
lisalonglash
Yes, I love Pluto!
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2007
Yay! The cruise part is started! 
Yeah, I don't know why people do that either - very inconsiderate to those who are actually supposed to be there! 
Can't wait to read more! Awesome pictures, as always 
Yeah, I don't know why people do that either - very inconsiderate to those who are actually supposed to be there! Can't wait to read more! Awesome pictures, as always
Lifelong_Dreamer
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2007
Yay! The cruise part is started!
Yep, I agree, and it is not like crowding around and blocking others is going to make the boarding process faster if anything it slows things down.
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