A Hop, NO Skip, and Many Mishaps to a Disney Dream!

[JPFamilyMom]

Wow what a process that is, but all in one place, that is so cool. Glad check in went rather smoothly and you didn't have any issues.

So cool Mickey was there, of course why wouldn't he be, but WOW, I had no idea he would meet you in the terminal.

 

[KatMark]

Great update; can't wait to see pics of the ship. But keep Claire happy and do those Easter eggs.

 

[jenseib]

Wow what a process that is, but all in one place, that is so cool. Glad check in went rather smoothly and you didn't have any issues.

So cool Mickey was there, of course why wouldn't he be, but WOW, I had no idea he would meet you in the terminal.

Mickey and Minnie would change out every so often and at one time we saw Goofy walking around too, but we weren't near enough to him.

Great update; can't wait to see pics of the ship. But keep Claire happy and do those Easter eggs.

We are done! We did about 5 dozen, and it was a lot of playing with colors. I am happy to be done now. We cracked two, which wil lmake Skip happy. He's always trying to steal the eggs before Easter.

 

[Disney4nonah]

YAYA, I haven't missed much...I'm so excited to see the rest of your report...
you had me hanging on every post of your PTR to see how it would end.
A NAILBITER.....OH and your parents, they are so cute, this is going to be good...
Ok, you may proceed..

 

[petals]

Luvin Mickey in his Sailor gear!

 

[jenseib]

YAYA, I haven't missed much...I'm so excited to see the rest of your report...
you had me hanging on every post of your PTR to see how it would end.
A NAILBITER.....OH and your parents, they are so cute, this is going to be good...
Ok, you may proceed..

Thanks for joining me here. I hope you will still have some nails when we are done!

Luvin Mickey in his Sailor gear!

Isn't he cute!

 

[mom2rtk]

SO cool to see sailor Mickey!

And good momma for coloring eggs! I haven't finished my Easter bunny duties or purchased the eggs (let alone colored them!) And my oldest turns 18 tomorrow, so not much time. I should have sent Katie up there to color eggs with Clarie!

 

[jenseib]

SO cool to see sailor Mickey!

And good momma for coloring eggs! I haven't finished my Easter bunny duties or purchased the eggs (let alone colored them!) And my oldest turns 18 tomorrow, so not much time. I should have sent Katie up there to color eggs with Clarie!

We did see him through out th ship at times too. He was neat to see.
Claire was pretty creative. She would scrible squiggly lines with crayons and then dip them in color and after she saw me make a multi colored egg she had to do a few of those too. It was fun.

 

[jenseib]

It was finally OUR turn to see Mickey. I am one of “those” people who take a zillion pictures when their kid meets a character…as you soon will see.

And a posed picture

And this is what the ships photographer took.

And then he took one with my camera as well.

After that I walked around and took a shot of the display model ship. It was again hard to get any pictures of it. It always had several people admiring it.

Claire and I then got in line to get her bracelet for the kids club. The line was kind of long, but it moved fast.


If I remember right, Goofy walked by while we were in line. I don’t know if he was just strolling around or doing a meet and greet. I think he was just strolling.

While we were in line I shot this peek out the window.

Minnie went whooshing by as we were standing in line as well. She and Mickey kept trading out about every half hour.

I swear every time I looked at Mom she was talking to another CM.

We made it up to the counter and it was a breeze again there too. Basically they asked Claire’s name, tapped a few keys on the computer and got her a bracelet to put on. The CM we had there was very friendly and you could tell he really liked working for Disney. He talked a lot about Disney Magic.

After that we decided to walk out to the observation deck to look at the ship. And guess what? About 2 minutes after we walk out there it starts to rain. Not hard, but enough to be annoying. Looks like a “mishap” to me! We stood under an overhang and I shot a few pictures.

I took this with my phone and texted it to family and friends.

At times I thought the rain was going to let up, but it didn’t. We gave up and went back inside then.

 

[that's nice]

Jen- I know I wouldn't of been able to sleep either! Your 'other' ship pictures are much better than the 'streetlights' picture I commented on FB about! I can totally picture the three of you hanging out at 5am watching the ship!

Glad you were able to check in so early! I can imagine that process could be bad if you weren't there early. Also, glad the computers were working- not like what happened to our friends.

The pictures of Claire & Mickey are really cute!

 

[dizneeat]

Great update, Jen!

Even checking-in for a cruise is an event at Disney! I love how your mum was always chatting with the CMs. They are so sweet and friendly all the time.

Your photos with "the captain" look great! I love that they do that - and that ship's model is wonderful too. We tried to get a good photo of it on our first cruise, but as you said, lots of people around.
Then on the back to back one we were more or less on our own up there and had the model to ourselves and had time to look at it in detail and it is just amazing!

Can't wait for more!

 

[Mindy5767]

I"m back. I'd been away for several day with Passover and then we went to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA. Boy! That place is a theme park without the Magic. I'm going to write a TR on that short day trip.

About the Question you asked me way back on page 7...
Yes, we are really enjoying Heidi in a way different than we did when we had Lily and Max. So much is different. We're in a different place financially, we're older, we worry less about the little things that young parents fret about! My focus with her is very different. However, I somehow have less time to do things than I think I did over 20 years ago, but I think its because we're so much more involved. When Lily was little, I actually had time to make most of her clothes! I don't do that anymore. Making clothes actually costs more now since everything is made cheaply in China! I do worry that she's missing out by not having all the clothes made and designed by Mommy... but I do create her Halloween costumes. Like this one from this past Halloween. She was a Viking. Can you guess where we bought her helmet and sword?
And yes.. that IS real mink on her costume.

It is sooo late... I need to get to bed... but I'm all caught up... looking forward to finding out why it was so fortuitous that you arrived when you did.

 

[jenseib]

Jen- I know I wouldn't of been able to sleep either! Your 'other' ship pictures are much better than the 'streetlights' picture I commented on FB about! I can totally picture the three of you hanging out at 5am watching the ship!

Glad you were able to check in so early! I can imagine that process could be bad if you weren't there early. Also, glad the computers were working- not like what happened to our friends.

The pictures of Claire & Mickey are really cute!

LOL! Yes, those don't look like street lights so much.
I was also happy that it all went fairly smoothly. After the flight, I almost expected some computer to crash!
Claire keeps asking when we can go back. I told her I would love to, but she needs to ask Daddy that question. She then says things like 3 days is too short, lets do 8, or 10.

Great update, Jen!

Even checking-in for a cruise is an event at Disney! I love how your mum was always chatting with the CMs. They are so sweet and friendly all the time.

Your photos with "the captain" look great! I love that they do that - and that ship's model is wonderful too. We tried to get a good photo of it on our first cruise, but as you said, lots of people around.
Then on the back to back one we were more or less on our own up there and had the model to ourselves and had time to look at it in detail and it is just amazing!

Can't wait for more!

I think Mom was just as excited, but was trying not to show it so much. I know the week leading up to the vacation she was posting a lot on facebook about going on a cruise a lot.
"When" we go again (gotta think positive), I think I wil ltry to take in a few more details in the terminal. I was so wide eyed and excited that I don't think I really looked around as much as I could've. Especially the model shop. I wish I took more time and just looked at it really good.

I"m back. I'd been away for several day with Passover and then we went to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA. Boy! That place is a theme park without the Magic. I'm going to write a TR on that short day trip.

About the Question you asked me way back on page 7...
Yes, we are really enjoying Heidi in a way different than we did when we had Lily and Max. So much is different. We're in a different place financially, we're older, we worry less about the little things that young parents fret about! My focus with her is very different. However, I somehow have less time to do things than I think I did over 20 years ago, but I think its because we're so much more involved. When Lily was little, I actually had time to make most of her clothes! I don't do that anymore. Making clothes actually costs more now since everything is made cheaply in China! I do worry that she's missing out by not having all the clothes made and designed by Mommy... but I do create her Halloween costumes. Like this one from this past Halloween. She was a Viking. Can you guess where we bought her helmet and sword?
And yes.. that IS real mink on her costume.

It is sooo late... I need to get to bed... but I'm all caught up... looking forward to finding out why it was so fortuitous that you arrived when you did.

Love the costume. My DD Paige bought one of those Viking hats years ago. I laughed when that was her choice of hat to buy! I wish I could sew. I really don't have any artistic talent. I would love to be able to sew a costume of some sort.
I have been to Bush Gardens in Tampa twice, but never in Williamburg, though we have talked of going to that area a few times. But it still has been over 10 years since I've been to that one. There are so many places I would like to visit. I really do need to win a big lottery jackpot to afford all I want to do.

 

[KristiMc]

Jumping in to your TR. We were on the Magic this same week and I am still missing it.

 

[jenseib]

Jumping in to your TR. We were on the Magic this same week and I am still missing it.

Thanks for joining! I totally understand the missing thing. I wish we could go several times a year.

 

[jenseib]

A few more before we walked in.

When we went back inside I took a few more shots. I tried once more for the arch, but it was crowded up there again. I had no idea that people would actually stand around this area the whole time…..but they did.

Claire had to go potty so we made our way over there. Mom took her in while I stayed with the bags. I gave Skip another call to tell him about the day so far. As I was talking to him they announced that boarding was starting. It was a recorded announcement and it said something like numbers 1-6 could board. I thought WOW! A TON of people stood up to head to the front. Another announcement was then made, by a live person. The announcement was wrong. They were only boarding 1 (and maybe 2). I finished up the call with Skip and told him I would try to call one more time later before we set sail.
Mom came out with Claire and it was my turn. Let’s just say the terminal bathrooms are not very magical. They weren’t the worst I have seen, but they were not in Disney style.

We found a seat and waited to be called. We knew we would never miss our number because Claire was so excited and listened to every announcement made. She was keeping track of it all for us!
I think I pulled out my Navigator for the first time here and took a look at some things I wanted to do, or at least try to do.

I took a few more random shots while waiting for our number to be called.

Claire is still listening for our number.

And FINALLY it is called. I can’t remember the exact time, but I want to say it was around 12:30. Maybe a little later, but not much.

We worked our way to the Big Mickey Arch. Let me tell you, that was a chore. People are standing there waiting for there number and not allowing the ones called to get through. What’s the purpose of this? I basically said excuse me over and over and pushed our way through. It was the only way to do it.
It was so exciting though, so I didn’t let it bother me at all. I just thought it was dumb. I wish the CM’s would actually come up to them and tell them to move.
We scanned our KTTW card and stopped off for a picture.

We had two taken, and actually we all look better in the other EXCEPT that Mom has her eyes closed in that one.

We are now about to enter the DREAM!!!!!!!

 

[KatMark]

Nice update. Why do people do that? They do it at the airport to when your section is called and you have to fight your way through the people. Hey, people...the plane or the ship is NOT going to leave without you and it would go a heck of a lot faster if you all would move out of the way.

I love how Claire is sitting there patinently waiting for your number to be called.

 

[mom2rtk]

This is so fun! I've never been on a cruise, and never read a cruise TR, so this is all uncharted territory for me.

I'm so excited you are boarding!

 

[dizneeat]

Love the update, Jen!

Boy, that brings back memories! People standing in doorways and blocking passages! Yip, been there, seen that!

I cannot wait to see your photos from inside the DREAM! we are 124 days away from meeting her in person!

 

[Mindy5767]

I love your parents. Your mom looks like such a sweet lady!

I'm so excited about boarding!! lol I'm excited about my upcoming RC cruise in 247 days. Even though, its a little less than maximally exciting because its not a Disney Cruise. I'd be WAY more excited if it was... but hey... its still a cruise and we're going to the Caribbean.. even if we don't get Pirate night! arghh

I sent my MIL an email about the new future Disney cruises leaving out of Galveston and she was like.. "I certainly will never be booking a Disney cruise!".. I was like She said she'd hate to be on a ship with all those people in weird costumes and hates when RC does it (she means the characters). She doesn't "get" it.. She thinks Disney cruises are only enjoyable for families with young children and wouldn't appeal to an older person.