Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Cruise, Oct 30th,2010 Magical Western NewTR link 4/10

[podsnel]

The big game of chess continued....

So Pods & I decided to play some checkers...

Could you see the steam coming out of his ears?? He was black, I was white....

Yea...I was cocky for a while....We drew a little crowd....I had two completely faithful die hard fans for a good 3 minutes, before this-

Followed by THIS....

T&T also played Connect Four- a game Tyler is UNBEATABLE at (unfortunately for Timmy!) (FWIW, I think Timmy won at chess)

Of course, they also had to play the ONE hole of mini-golf....

And I switched cameras...I have NO idea what took me so long to do that!

Oh, I do really hope they make a mini-golf course here...wouldn't that be an excellent addition?

All those games made us awfully hungry, so next we were off to lunch at Cookies BBQ!!

We were eating a while after the masses (that's when we were playing the games), so we had no trouble getting our food and finding a table- although there are sooo many tables to choose from! A few of our plates-

Pods & Tyler were lovin' the ribs! Guess who had this...

Cont'd next post....

 

[nenner1]

Nooooo I didn't know that It was just then that I saw that picture and then glanced over and thought wow...that looks kinda weathered (like me by oh around Labor day )

It was so neat to see it "live" and in pictures

Yes, I was shocked to come on the boards one day and see a pile of wood someone was declaring was the Flying Dutchman! It was tragic. To me, CC just looks gaping, like something is totally missing without it. I know it is basically back to how it used to be for many years but for me...it isn't the same.

So did the couple get married on CC or on the ship?

Tracy

On CC, it looked like a wonderful ceremony! We were pretty close to it, close enough to almost feel a part of it... LOL!

Sorry to interject, back to you regular Castaway Cay Day programming...LOL!

 

[CRdisMom]

looks like fun! Stoopid question?? Do you have to pay for all of your drinks but the meals are covered?

 

[mmmears]

Great update. I'm really enjoying your TR.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

looks like fun! Stoopid question?? Do you have to pay for all of your drinks but the meals are covered?

Stupid is as stupid doess.. Oh sorry! Just watched Forrest Gump!

Not a stupid question if you haven't been there. Yes, the food and juice and soft drinks are free. Adult beverages are charged to your ship board account.
They bring the CMs from the ship to come out and work on the Island.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Looks like your CC day was a perfect family day, Ellen! Good thing you had PD with finding Tyler's card!
I love all the big games! I didn't know those were there - I don't think I've seen anyone post pics of those before, and we headed directly to Serenity Bay when we were there!

 

[threewilmingtonwalls]

So now that you're very near to the end, and I've followed along without ever posting... I just wanted to say THANKS for sharing! My family was originally booked to go on this cruise, and we ended up having to reschedule for January. We had a fabulous time, but I had been super bummed that we weren't able to stick to our original plan to cruise over Halloween. Between this TR and nenner1's, I almost feel like I really WAS there! So thanks for letting me lurk around and read all about it. Your boys are all so handsome and you all look like you had a super fun time! I hope you take another vacay soon, so I can read all about it!

P.S. - I also wanted to tell you (because I think of it every time I see your tag line) that I have a great friend who lives in Scotch Plains, and one of my favorite bars EVER is there. I can never remember what the real name of it is, because we always call it the Love Angel Music Bar (the real name is something similar to that). It's in a little downtown area, it's kind of "loungey", with TV's playing old black and white television shows; it's owned by a guy named Carmine who's always there. Anyway, who knows - but we love it, and we love Scotch Plains!

 

[podsnel]

Aww you guys got some really great pics!!! We rode the tram so we didn't get those opportunities.

Yea, but you got a million pretty pics the whole rest of the week!!!

What time did you guys get out on the island? It looks pretty early, but we were out there before the wedding (we watched it, LOL).

Probably at 10? I dunno- what time was the wedding over?

Ah, where was Clifford when we needed him? Djd you know Ron lost his card too that morning? It got sucked up by Pelican Plunge (which they said happens countless times per day). They didn't find his though, so we had to wait to go to Guest Services onboard to get him a new one.

NOOOO!!! I had no idea! How crazy is that! Hope it wasn't too hard to get a new one.

Tracy did you know it is gone now? They dismantled it Like a week after we were there!!!! I had no idea they were preparing to do that, but yes, she was looking rough, especially on the backside.

I thought I had read that- we are sooooo lucky we got to see her one last time, aren't we?

Nooooo I didn't know that It was just then that I saw that picture and then glanced over and thought wow...that looks kinda weathered (like me by oh around Labor day )

It was so neat to see it "live" and in pictures

So did the couple get married on CC or on the ship?

Tracy

I know Jen answers you, but I know it was on CC because they were riding that cart back to the ship.

Awesome bit of luck finding the card - YAY Clifford!

I have 10 more days til my cruise - do a neighbor a favor and finish your report before then... I want the whole experience before I leave!

Well, you're going to get your wish- at least for the cruise part! Lucky you!! Have a BLAST, neighbor!

 

[anewmac]

How fun to see a wedding on CC!

Love the beach dress too cute, and the pics are adorable! Glad the family gave in to your "demands" lol

And it must be a prerequisit (sp?) that someone in a family has to lose a KTTW card on a trip. P did on the cruise, and both times weve been to WDW i did. Neither one of us are allowed to hold our own cards now LOL. Way to go on finding the PERFECT CM to "find" the card

And can i just say I was literally LMAO when you talked about Pod walking along familyless well 2less. Figures men dont pay attention lol

I dont remember the games all being there before is that new? Or did we just not partake?

The plunge looks so fun for the kids, and adults as I see were partaking.

mmmm cookies bbq, loved the mahi mahi samich from there.. 2.5yrs later and I still havent had one like that.

 

[rentayenta]

Great update! CC loooks amazing and glad the weather held out.

Your dress was cuter than Daisy's! The food looks yummy and I like the oversized games- too fun.

 

[podsnel]

Yes, I was shocked to come on the boards one day and see a pile of wood someone was declaring was the Flying Dutchman! It was tragic. To me, CC just looks gaping, like something is totally missing without it. I know it is basically back to how it used to be for many years but for me...it isn't the same.



On CC, it looked like a wonderful ceremony! We were pretty close to it, close enough to almost feel a part of it... LOL!

Sorry to interject, back to you regular Castaway Cay Day programming...LOL!

So cool you saw the actual ceremony!! Did they have alot of people with them? What beach was it on?

looks like fun! Stoopid question?? Do you have to pay for all of your drinks but the meals are covered?

Yea- what Tammy said. But you have to pay for all drinks if you get them from the bar. DCL is different from other cruise lines because they have a soda stand that is free and is open 24 hrs- on other cruiselines, you need to buy a soda package to have that, and they charge per person, per day. Plus, on DCL you can bring your own booze onboard- like rum, vodka, wine, beer- that really is a very nice thing that saves some $$ if you like to drink on vacation. Not that I would know anyone like that....

Great update. I'm really enjoying your TR.

Thank-you!! I am so glad!

Stupid is as stupid doess.. Oh sorry! Just watched Forrest Gump!

Not a stupid question if you haven't been there. Yes, the food and juice and soft drinks are free. Adult beverages are charged to your ship board account.
They bring the CMs from the ship to come out and work on the Island.

That is one of my favorite movies of all time- isn't it AWESOME????

Looks like your CC day was a perfect family day, Ellen! Good thing you had PD with finding Tyler's card!
I love all the big games! I didn't know those were there - I don't think I've seen anyone post pics of those before, and we headed directly to Serenity Bay when we were there!

It is one of the new things- those games. Really great when the weather isn't cooperating or you need a break from the sun, it's all in the shade (except for the one golf hole!).

So now that you're very near to the end, and I've followed along without ever posting... I just wanted to say THANKS for sharing! My family was originally booked to go on this cruise, and we ended up having to reschedule for January. We had a fabulous time, but I had been super bummed that we weren't able to stick to our original plan to cruise over Halloween. Between this TR and nenner1's, I almost feel like I really WAS there! So thanks for letting me lurk around and read all about it. Your boys are all so handsome and you all look like you had a super fun time! I hope you take another vacay soon, so I can read all about it!

P.S. - I also wanted to tell you (because I think of it every time I see your tag line) that I have a great friend who lives in Scotch Plains, and one of my favorite bars EVER is there. I can never remember what the real name of it is, because we always call it the Love Angel Music Bar (the real name is something similar to that). It's in a little downtown area, it's kind of "loungey", with TV's playing old black and white television shows; it's owned by a guy named Carmine who's always there. Anyway, who knows - but we love it, and we love Scotch Plains!

I LOVE that bar!!! It's called Vienna 60, but everyone calls it the Love Bar. Carmen (OMG, what a character!! LOVE the guy as much as the bar- he's an awesome host!) opened it wanting it to be like Vienna in the 1960's....it feels like you stepped into someone's parents' basement a looooong time ago, doesn't it? It doesn't feel like a bar at all. He doesn't serve food,per se, but when it's a birthday (or really whatever) and you mention it he comes out with a tray of pastries....I did this to Joan a few years back. Or he just puts food in front of you, like you're at a party. Here's some pics from there a few years ago, I was there with my GF, Linda, her cousin, Lynn, & her hubby, Ian. They are all British (well, Ian is Scottish) so they were all playing Austin Powers-

Next time you go in the summer, the bar across the street is really excellent, too- The Tavern- they have a huge outdoor bar, when you are back there it feels like you are at the Jersey shore, not in some NY suburb. I'm sure your friends know- the whole town hangs out there. Who are your friends? Do I know them? Pods & I know alot of people from being involved in stuff- they would know him for being a coach of baseball, basketball & soccer (a while back on the soccer) and he is the treasurer of the town baseball league....I'm the PTA President at one of the middle schools in town and we go to Fanwood Presbyterian Church. Thanks for coming out of lurkdom, I really enjoyed posting those pics, it was a fun night!

 

[podsnel]

How fun to see a wedding on CC!

Love the beach dress too cute, and the pics are adorable! Glad the family gave in to your "demands" lol

Thanks! Me too!

And it must be a prerequisit (sp?) that someone in a family has to lose a KTTW card on a trip. P did on the cruise, and both times weve been to WDW i did. Neither one of us are allowed to hold our own cards now LOL. Way to go on finding the PERFECT CM to "find" the card

Wasn't that the craziest thing? Really, we were freaking out, it was miraculous!

And can i just say I was literally LMAO when you talked about Pod walking along familyless well 2less. Figures men dont pay attention lol

No, they don't! But then it was all my fault, you know, because I didn't run after him!

I dont remember the games all being there before is that new? Or did we just not partake?

It's one of the new areas. There was a game area before, too, but I don't think it was as well supplied.

The plunge looks so fun for the kids, and adults as I see were partaking.

It was fun- we went on later...

mmmm cookies bbq, loved the mahi mahi samich from there.. 2.5yrs later and I still havent had one like that.

I think the key to a good meal there is to go early. We are always late arriving and I think stuff gets dried out...

Great update! CC loooks amazing and glad the weather held out.

Your dress was cuter than Daisy's! The food looks yummy and I like the oversized games- too fun.

Thanks! The games were very fun- my kids LOVE games, so they were really into it!

 

[threewilmingtonwalls]

I LOVE that bar!!! It's called Vienna 60, but everyone calls it the Love Bar. Carmen (OMG, what a character!! LOVE the guy as much as the bar- he's an awesome host!) opened it wanting it to be like Vienna in the 1960's....it feels like you stepped into someone's parents' basement a looooong time ago, doesn't it? It doesn't feel like a bar at all. He doesn't serve food,per se, but when it's a birthday (or really whatever) and you mention it he comes out with a tray of pastries....I did this to Joan a few years back. Or he just puts food in front of you, like you're at a party. Here's some pics from there a few years ago, I was there with my GF, Linda, her cousin, Lynn, & her hubby, Ian. They are all British (well, Ian is Scottish) so they were all playing Austin Powers-

Next time you go in the summer, the bar across the street is really excellent, too- The Tavern- they have a huge outdoor bar, when you are back there it feels like you are at the Jersey shore, not in some NY suburb. I'm sure your friends know- the whole town hangs out there. Who are your friends? Do I know them? Pods & I know alot of people from being involved in stuff- they would know him for being a coach of baseball, basketball & soccer (a while back on the soccer) and he is the treasurer of the town baseball league....I'm the PTA President at one of the middle schools in town and we go to Fanwood Presbyterian Church. Thanks for coming out of lurkdom, I really enjoyed posting those pics, it was a fun night!

That's the place!! Wow, I don't think I have any pics, so looking at yours is making me nostalgic. Last time we were there we were celebrating a birthday, but we didn't get any fun food, we just had (one too many) rounds of free shots. This after we'd made a "no shot" pact, in preparation for going into NYC the following night. Oh well, we recovered with some shopping and lunch at Short Hills Mall the next morning!

My GF's name is Michelle. She's a realtor at Weichert, but she spends a lot of time traveling. She's always trotting off on these Rotary Club excursions to places like Dubai, France, Costa Rica. Either that or she's off in the city, somehow getting herself cast as a model/audience participant on shows like Tyra and Dr. Oz. No husband, no kids...tough life! I don't really know any of her friends from Scotch Plains. She introduced me to some guy named Pat who your hubby probably knows if he's a baseball guy. I only say that because Pat was supposedly a big baseball player in college and I think they said he still plays. I think he is from Scotch Plains originally, and he went to college and played baseball in North Carolina - which is why she introduced us because one of HIS friends said, "That girl talks like she's from North Carolina!" Which I so do. Anyway, he's married, young kids I think. He's the only friend of Michelle's from Scotch Plains that I've ever met.

We will definitely try the Tavern on our next warm weather visit, hopefully this spring. Thanks for the tip! Maybe we'll run into each other there. (But not in a creepy, disboard stalker kind of way or anything. )

 

[englishrose47]

Great Day at CC !!!What a coincidence with card !!!! Your crystal ball was working well that day Ellen !!!!The games look awesome !!!

 

[podsnel]

So....the boys had some dessert....

Tyler was very impressed with his ice cream getting skills...

Timmy was, too-

But Timmy loved his ice cream a little too fast, and now it was HIS turn for a brain freeze!

What. a. slob.

Lunch over, we went back to hang at the beach-

Timmy & Tyler entered a Basketball shooting contest...and Timmy WON! He was sooooo proud of himself! They even gave him a medal for his accomplishment-

We walked over to the new beach and alllllll the way around...

Cabanas-

Lots of cool critters out this way-

I was wearing a towel for warmth! Really windy!

We noticed the huge, long lines for Pelican Plunge from earlier in the day were pretty much gone, so we all decided it was a good time to go on the slides. At 2:30 CC was very cleared out, and all I could think was, what's the rush?? We have until 4:30! Anyway, I have to say that for me, I must have REALLY wanted to try PP, because the water AND air were cool, and I am NOT one to jump in when there is anything cold involved. But I knew I was going to kick myself all the way back to NJ and beyond if I didn't suck-it-up and get out there, so I did. The big thing is that you have to swim out to it, then stand there and freeze while you wait, then go down the slide and swim all the way back in, then swim out again from the beach to go again. But it was SOOOOO worth it!! Those slides were a BLAST!! What a GREAT addition to CC!! And the dark one? Even Pods said that was a great slide, really fast.

Then back to hang on our beach before the bitter end. Everyone was gone there but us, it was maybe 3:30...these birds were enjoying the mess left behind by the MOST OBNOXIOUS, LOUD, RUDE family group I have EVER experienced...and NO, they were NOT from NJ....but they were drunk and lettin' the expletives fly as they were screaming at each other all day. Fortunately, we didn't spend a ton of time here, otherwise we would have moved to get away from them. They were gross in EVERY way! And we never saw them any other time during the week, thank goodness.

Time to head back (although, actually, this is T&T hoofin it fast to their towels...they were FREEZING after the slide!)-

Bouganvilla-

Sweet peas-

Cont'd next post-

 

[JKSWonder]

I was kind of bummed that they didn't have the cookie dough soft serve at CC anymore....just chocolate and vanilla this time.

I was chilly too! It was really windy, overcast and started drizzling a bit a one point. If you cruised by our lounge chairs on your walk, I was the one laying down with her baseball cap and cover up still on and with towels over her legs for blankets! Yet my kids were in the water. Go figure.

I'm wondering if the obnoxious family you encountered was the same family that was in the cabin next to us. Did they consist of a dad, a mom, a son and a daughter? The Dad and the kids spent the week yelling at each other and slamming stuff around in their cabin. At least once, Dad slapped a kid. More than one peaceful morning on my verandah was ruined by their constant fighting. I wondered why they bothered to go on vacation at all, since they all seemed to sort of hate each other.

 

[lisadam]

Who are your friends? Do I know them? Pods & I know alot of people from being involved in stuff- they would know him for being a coach of baseball, basketball & soccer (a while back on the soccer) and he is the treasurer of the town baseball league....I'm the PTA President at one of the middle schools in town and we go to Fanwood Presbyterian Church. Thanks for coming out of lurkdom, I really enjoyed posting those pics, it was a fun night!

OK - this post wasn't to me - but I'm going to ask anyway - DS's best friend in daycare -from diapers to graduation to kindergarden - is 11 -and I believe still plays baseball (we drift in and out of touch) do you know Sammy Venick?

 

[podsnel]

I took a few more pics of the Flying Dutchman...I must have had AWESOME intuition that day, since this all came down a week later!!

There was a long line to get back on the ship at the closer entrance, so we hoofed it to the front-

UGH. Getting back on the Magic after CC is the WORST!!! Dejavu from earlier in the trip-

Now, I have no idea how I ended up here, but I guess to take some pictures? I really can't recall, but these are the cute displays outside of the shops-

Then a few pics of CC from the cabin-

Back in the cabin...

And Pods & I decided to go work out! SO we were up in the gym when we sailed away from CC....of course, I brought a camera!!

It was really great to workout on the ellipticals and watch them get the ship ready for our departure! Still so sad to leave, though....

Cont'd next post-

 

[kid-at-heart]

Catching up. One little snow day and everyone goes crazy. It took three class periods to catch the students up to where we were before the snow day (and these are adult students –yep, snowbrain effects all).

Ellen, your dress is cuter than Daisy’s AND your bottom is covered. Daisy has a nekked bottom.

Hope you warm up soon! We usually get a taste of Spring, and then get Winter back just in time for Spring break. poor kiddos.

We loved Spokane when we were stationed there!!!Let me know if you get to Southern Oregon - it would be fun to meet up!
When looking for a place to live, take a look at the taxes. Alot of people work in Portland and live in Vancouver, WA because there is no property tax up there and no sales tax in Oregon.

I don't know what you do, but Intel is expanding, I heard.

We are actually thinking of retiring somewhere out of Oregon. Hopefully somewhere warm, but this year that would be here!

Magicfor2, thanks much for the offer to meet. I think it would be great fun to meet a fellow dis-friend.

Regarding what we do career-wise, I have this big fancy degree in psychology but all I do is teach at a community college. I spent a few years at a university doing a combination of research and teaching and found out I really enjoy the teaching aspect but not the research portion of the job.

Rob (spouse) is an economist and works for the state, community health area. He manages a program which focuses on obtaining medical screening and improving life-style choices/behaviors (nutrition, exercise, etc) for low-income women (working poor, not those with social service benefits). You cannot believe how often I hear “5 a day”…

We would love to live in a rural area but because of our employment opportunities will probably have to live near a medium to large city. Send me a pm if you have any suggestions.

kate

 

[podsnel]

On the way back to the cabin, we stopped for a minute to watch Finding Nemo on the Dumbotron....

And I went to get a snack, which doesn't look like much, but actually tasted very nice...

I had run into Judy (tjbaggott) at some point in all this, and she mentioned something about taking some sunset pics from her balcony tonight, because she had yet to do that...sounds like a good idea to me, Judy! You can never have too many pretty pics, can you?

If some of these look familiar...well, that's because I mistakenly posted some of them as Key West sunsets. (I'm sure everyone remembered that) I had an issue with SD cards, and would replace one with another when I thought I was running out of room....I DID have a 4GB card specifically for this whole cruise, but, unfortunately, it was with my computer, somewhere in Orlando....I hoped. Anyway, as a result, my pics are all over four cards....one card is a mish mosh of everything! So I apologize if you are sick of looking at my sunset pix!

Up next...our last night! Can you stand it??