The McSparklesons are BACK and they are CRUISIN! COMPLETE 10/4

[soontobewed07]

Subbing to your trip report I cannot miss a McSparklesons trip report.

 

[luvndizny]

Hey!!!

Just catching up on your report...and noticed:

Those are the SUPER COOL awesome lanyard/id things you made us!!! No kidding, we were just about to go to the store onboard to see if they had any for sale because I immediately realized we'd made the mistake of not having something easy to carry our KTTW cards in!!! Then (enter sounds of heaven opening up....AAAHHHHH)...your FE gifts arrive! Woohoo! In this episode-The McSparklesons save the day! (Action figure sold separately...)

Seriously, I am so stealing that idea to give out as a FE on our next trip!

Oh and:

That's me and the kiddoes to the left (hubby was dropping off the car) checking in!

I am gonna start a TR this weekend...so enjoy reading yours and reliving our wonderful experience!!

 

[karajeboo]

Hi there! I followed the link in your siggy from the post you made on my PTR and thanks to your handy links I'm all caught up already!

I'm so glad I came over, aside from the fact that I'm absorbing everything I can find about cruises to prepare for ours, you are a very entertaining writer, I may have laughed out loud a few times, and I may now have a DH who is working across the room that thinks I'm nuts, but it's all good.

Can't wait to hear more!!

Laughter, it's what's for dinner...... I love TRs because I can relive the whole trip. And I drag them waaaaaay out because just like the trip itself, I hate for it to end!

Subbing to your trip report I cannot miss a McSparklesons trip report.

No Ma'am you can NOT!

Hey!!!

Just catching up on your report...and noticed:

Those are the SUPER COOL awesome lanyard/id things you made us!!! No kidding, we were just about to go to the store onboard to see if they had any for sale because I immediately realized we'd made the mistake of not having something easy to carry our KTTW cards in!!! Then (enter sounds of heaven opening up....AAAHHHHH)...your FE gifts arrive! Woohoo! In this episode-The McSparklesons save the day! (Action figure sold separately...)

Seriously, I am so stealing that idea to give out as a FE on our next trip!

Oh and:

That's me and the kiddoes to the left (hubby was dropping off the car) checking in!

I am gonna start a TR this weekend...so enjoy reading yours and reliving our wonderful experience!!

It's what we do. We stop speeding bullets, leap over buildings, and drop off FE gifts just in the nick of time! Whew! It's a tough job, but somebody's gotta do it, right?

I got the lanyards online and ordered just the exact amount for the adults, then I ordered for the kids later...... I did the design myself and had a BLAST attempting that for the first time. There was a bit of colorful language flying around from time to time but for the most part it wasn't too bad. Someone on the DISign board made the candy bar wrappers for me several weeks ago. I wanted to get the smaller bars, but couldn't get the design sized right, so it was to everyone's benefit that I had to get the big bars!

 

[karajeboo]

As soon as they announced our board group# 3, we were on our way. It was just OK, as in the OK Corral, as in we were HERDED through the gangway.... click links for video clips.....

Mooooo! VIDEO

Yes, you heard that right. I moo'd. I sure did. And I'd do it again...... So MOOOOOOO!

OK, now back to my 40's......

Boarding a Disney cruise looked like it was going to be just like the Haunted Mansion immediately upon exiting the elevator. Except the port never stretched. Not once. I don't think. Although it did have high ceilings.... but I digress..... (get used to it, it happens a lot!)

Once we squeezed through the funnel that is actually the giant Mickey head, we were in the holding pen. With 2 lines. Now fellow DISers, which line did I take???? The LEFT!!!! Duh! And the right line moved quicker.......

We're getting closer - go LEFT! VIDEO

As soon as we moved through the line where our KTTW cards were swiped, for the first of many times, although this time did not include an $8 Drink of the Day so it may have been the CHEAPEST swipe of the trip, we were asked to move in front of a DCL backdrop where we were photographed and fingerprinted. OK, so we weren't fingerprinted, but after the chipping of my child, the corraling, and now the quick quick quick photo, I was ready for anything, maybe even an ear tag for quick identifying later!!!

But FINALLY! Actually, it all happened in less than 5 minutes, it was a piece of cake...... And just like the Haunted Mansion, you have that initial cattle call after the elevator, then once you get into the queuing line, you are relatively safe from the crowds, then once in your own personal Doom Buggy, it's just you and the spirits.... Same thing boarding the Magic. Minus the hitchhikers.

We have the gangway to ourselves as we make our way onto the Magic for our INTRODUCTION!!!!

We are SOOOOO close! VIDEO

And I'll bet you really wanna know how we were introduced, don't you? Were we "The McSparkleson Family?" Were we "Superstaaaahhhhs?"

Well, this is how someone else was introduced:

Magic Introduction VIDEO

I really have no idea how we were introduced. I was crying. Again. For the second time that day. It was just so MAGICal. Yes, I really am that cheesy, but it's because it really was that magical!!!! I couldn't believe that the time had finally arrived. We were on our first Disney cruise!

So when we walked through the gangway and the CM asked me for our family name, the first thing I blurted out was.......

OUR NAME!!!!

And in hindsight, that may have been a good thing, because when we were still in the OK Corral, Ally grabbed my hand, looked me dead in the eye, and said..... "MOOO!"

OK, not really. She actually said, "Mama, PLEASE don't embarass me when we get on the ship." She was pleading with me with those big cow eyes (moooo!) and digging into my hand.

So obviously we were NOT too sexy for the Magic, and we were not even Superstaaaahhhs. But we will always sparkle.

And in my mind, I AM STILL A SUPERSTAAAHHHH!

We were met by a cast member to herd us (I really need to get out of the corral!) quickly out of the atrium, to make room for the next family. We knew immediately where we needed to be, so we quickly made our way up to Deck 9 and Topsiders. After all, it's now a little after noon and we have not eaten yet. And I'm HUNGRY!!!! Moooooo!

I would like to thank my family for allowing me to walk around all day with the hangar straps hanging out of my shirt. I feel so glamorous seeing this in all the photos.....

Our view from Topsiders looking out over the port.....

Norwegian Sun

Carnival Dream

Kennedy Space Center

And before long, my favorite cast member (or are they CRUISE members?) came by and offered me the Drink of the Day!!! He then took my KTTW card for the first of MANY swipes to made this trip.....

LIFE....IS.....GOOD!

We filled our plates and settled in to watch the, well, nothing really because we're not moving yet!

Heaven in a cup.....

UP next: Let's tour the Magic!

 

[jcarwash]

Someone on the DISign board made the candy bar wrappers for me several weeks ago. I wanted to get the smaller bars, but couldn't get the design sized right, so it was to everyone's benefit that I had to get the big bars!

We really enjoyed the big bar. MMMMM.

 

[jcarwash]

Now fellow DISers, which line did I take???? The LEFT!!!! Duh! And the right line moved quicker.......

I need to add this to my first-time cruiser report. Go to the right, behind the sign about photos, because you don't have to get your family photo taken if you don't want to. We went to the far left too and OOF it was slow. Once I saw people skipping the photo in the far right line I was like dang! I'm not buying this photo anyway!

 

[CRdisMom]

all I can say about the videos is that it needs more cow bell....LOL. You weren't kidding about being crowded on. How bad was the final drink total??

 

[karajeboo]

I need to add this to my first-time cruiser report. Go to the right, behind the sign about photos, because you don't have to get your family photo taken if you don't want to. We went to the far left too and OOF it was slow. Once I saw people skipping the photo in the far right line I was like dang! I'm not buying this photo anyway!

Ya know, you're right!!!! The photo that was broken up for the KTTW cards was taken at check in, wasn't it? I will know for next time, too!

all I can say about the videos is that it needs more cow bell....LOL. You weren't kidding about being crowded on. How bad was the final drink total??

WE NEED MORE COWBELL!!!!! One of my favorite SNL skits EVAH!!! Aside from.... Superstaaahhhh!

I don't know how bad the drink total was, but I could break it down. But I don't think I'll do that cause I just ate breakfast.....

 

[karajeboo]

We really enjoyed the big bar. MMMMM.

Sadly, I enjoyed a couple before we even left when I realized there were extras.....

 

[JaxJags08]

Hehe - i like the MOOO. That line does not look like fun, but sounds like it went quickly. Plus I imagine I wouldn't mind it too much if I knew I was about to start a cruise.

Aawww-so sweet about you getting emotional at the introduction. At least you got a superstar pic, though!

Did you keep a final tally on your drinks? Those things can add up, but are totally worth it!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Ahhhh, the drink of the day, I can not wait!!

The cattle call doesn't look like a lot of fun, but at least it didn't last too long

Was 'heaven in a cup' some kind of white chocolate raspberry thing? It looks devine! I just know they are going to have to lift me off of the ship with a crane when it's all said and done.....

 

[karajeboo]

Hehe - i like the MOOO. That line does not look like fun, but sounds like it went quickly. Plus I imagine I wouldn't mind it too much if I knew I was about to start a cruise.

Aawww-so sweet about you getting emotional at the introduction. At least you got a superstar pic, though!

Did you keep a final tally on your drinks? Those things can add up, but are totally worth it!

I know what the final bill was that was slipped under our door, but that included CC excursion, spa treatment, souvies, Palo, so not exactly sure what the drink total was. But it was a BIG shock that I still have not shown to Jeff (and probably never will!).

Ahhhh, the drink of the day, I can not wait!!

The cattle call doesn't look like a lot of fun, but at least it didn't last too long

Was 'heaven in a cup' some kind of white chocolate raspberry thing? It looks devine! I just know they are going to have to lift me off of the ship with a crane when it's all said and done.....

It was a raspberry, whitechocolate thing, yes. But I had a trick that I used and it worked. I left behind ONE BITE of everything I ate!!! All the calories are in that ONE bite!!!! So I only gained 3 pounds on the trip. And I ate.... a LOT!

 

[SoonerGirl]

But I had a trick that I used and it worked. I left behind ONE BITE of everything I ate!!! All the calories are in that ONE bite!!!!

Good to know!

 

[JaxJags08]

It was a raspberry, whitechocolate thing, yes. But I had a trick that I used and it worked. I left behind ONE BITE of everything I ate!!! All the calories are in that ONE bite!!!! So I only gained 3 pounds on the trip. And I ate.... a LOT!

I'm going to use this trick! I always have to "sample" 1 of everything (and by sample I mean get a piece of each thing and eat it all). If you leave 1 bite of each dessert, that must total at least 1 less dessert that you eat overall! Hmmmm....I think we discovered a new type of Disney math!

 

[999ghostslover]

Mrs. Sparkleson: May I just say that you are my very favorite trip reporter ever? because you are! I am so getting a kick out of this PTR turned TR. I am crying and laughing right along with you. We are booking--tomorrow--a week on fantasy or 4 days on dream so I am new to all of this cruise lingo. I have no idea what all of those bags are for but I can't wait to find out. I am going to start frequenting the cruise board here shortly.
Where in Greenville are you located? My mom and Dad live in Greer kinda near BMW (way out there) and my sister lives in Greer (near Pelham) and my brother lives downtown.

 

[karajeboo]

Mrs. Sparkleson: May I just say that you are my very favorite trip reporter ever? because you are! I am so getting a kick out of this PTR turned TR. I am crying and laughing right along with you. We are booking--tomorrow--a week on fantasy or 4 days on dream so I am new to all of this cruise lingo. I have no idea what all of those bags are for but I can't wait to find out. I am going to start frequenting the cruise board here shortly.
Where in Greenville are you located? My mom and Dad live in Greer kinda near BMW (way out there) and my sister lives in Greer (near Pelham) and my brother lives downtown.

Well I guess that makes you my new favorite reader!!!! So sweet of you to say!

And I live in Greer out by BMW also..... I used to live off Pelham Rd a long time ago. It really IS a small world, afterall..... you're singing now, aren't you? And cursing me for putting that blasted song in your head!!! BWAHAHAHA!!!!

I'm going to use this trick! I always have to "sample" 1 of everything (and by sample I mean get a piece of each thing and eat it all). If you leave 1 bite of each dessert, that must total at least 1 less dessert that you eat overall! Hmmmm....I think we discovered a new type of Disney math!

Kinda like my Disney math that says a Value Resort one time, then a Deluxe Resort next stay, average into a Moderate resort?

Good to know!

You didn't know that? See JaxJags, it's "Disney Math" and in this case "Disney Calorie Counting"

Now I just need to find that special Disney Math that makes the next trip cheaper so it can come sooner.....

BTW, I wanna know where my commission is from Disney? I have a good friend who just booked a 4 night on the Dream over Christmas. How awesome is that????

 

[KristiMc]

Love the Moo video and the Superstar pic!

I also had the Heaven in a Cup stuff. It was delish!

 

[iluvwdw4ever]

We were on this cruise also and had an AMAZING time!!!! We noticed a lot of fellow Ohioans on the ship too!! I think half the state was there!! Can't wait to read more!!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

I just found out about your TR, subbing. I missed your reports they are so funny.

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

I just subbed! Followed you over from 999ghostlovers' PTR.

I have never been on a cruise before and really, really, REALLY want to go. As I know absolutely nothing about it, I'm counting on you to teach me everything I need to know, okay!? No pressure, right?
Seriously, I think you're so funny, and I've already learned a thing or two from what I've read so far. I can't wait to keep reading!