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

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Rinky - we never asked to be seated by ourselves, but we were always at a table just the four of us. I was sort of looking forward to meeting others at dinner, but it was fine. There are lots of tables for 4 at each of the dining rooms. It seems they configure tables to match party sizes as much as possible. Unfortunately, for dinner at EG, we were seated at a regular table with chairs, not one of the cool booths. But we got one at breakfast one day!

Well then it sounds like we have a pretty good chance of being seated by ourselves. I don't mind sitting with strangers, but my DD doesn't like it at all. She is really shy and if strangers are at the table, she won't say a word all night. Also, DH deals with people all day every day with his job, and he said that he was looking forward to going somewhere that no one knows him and he didn't have to talk to anyone if he didn't want to! When I told him about the seating arrangements on the cruise, he just said, "You're kidding, right?" So I decided to put the private seating request on our reservation and hope we would get it. I'll be fine either way, but I can see his point. Vacation is supposed to be an escape from everything and everyone!

 

[jenseib]

Oooh, the Enchanted Garden is lovely. Your pictures are great. You provide so much detail.

Can't wait to hear about your meal.

Thanks. I have more details about Enchanted Garden in my dining review, which is linked in my signature "so this is what a dream tate like".

The new pictures of Claire are beautiful. They also reminded me of a conversation I had with Jack (7) the other day. He had also picked me a bunch of Dandilions. The next day he over heard a conversation I was having with a neighbor about how crazed my DH gets when he sees a weed in our yard. I mentioned dandilions and Jack just stopped and said "Wait, I gave you a bunch of WEEDS? And you didn't tell me? That's just great Mom. Just great." I had to laugh and say " Well they are pretty weeds."

-Dawn

Thats funny. Claire is so excited about the dandelions and I hate them. My BIL's house across the street is loaded and she loves it...I am cursing it becuase I keep saying that the wind is blowing them over here and reseeding them. We sprayed a couple of years ago and slowly we are getting more and more back.

As usual the pictures are fantastic! EG looks so nice! I have to ask, did you request private seating for your cruise b/c I've not seen any pictures of you guys sitting with others at dinner? Also, did you request a particular rotation so that you would be at Royal Palace on dress up night? I've requested both of these, but am wondering if we will get it.

I did request of 4 top table. We don't care to be eated with others either. Skip hates it, I don't care for it, and I knew Claire would be shy about it too. My Mom was happy I did that too.
I did not request a particular rotation. There is no listed dress up night that I know of, so I didn't really care which resuarant we went to each night. I just knew that I would probably dress up in my dress on the Royal Palace night...but we were there pirate night and I dressed piratey that night, so I wore my dress to Animators. I wasn't feeling in the dress mood on the Enchanted Garden night after all the excitement of getting on the ship.

I am enjoying reading your report. Where did you get Claire's Rapunzel dress? it's much prettier than the one I saw online

I got it at Costumes for less, but I saw other online sites that had it too. It is listed as Tower princess, I believe. I liked it better than the Disney store version myself...and I kind of like having something a little different than most others as wel..

I love your trip report so far! Great pictures too! Claire is adorable as always. We plan to cruise in 2012. Hoping to get DH to agree to dates soon before it sells out .

Thanks! Yes, get him going on it. I want to go in 2012 for our 10th anniversary, but I know Skip won't even start thinking about till next Jan or Feb. He doesn't get that the cheaper rates are earlier and go up as the cruise gets closer...even though he has experienced this first hand now. I guess he thinks he's special.

I like the B&W pictures of Claire sniffing the flowers too!

Your EG pictures are lovely. It was such a pretty place to eat. I didn't take nearly as many pictures of the interior as I would have liked. Silly me!

Rinky - we never asked to be seated by ourselves, but we were always at a table just the four of us. I was sort of looking forward to meeting others at dinner, but it was fine. There are lots of tables for 4 at each of the dining rooms. It seems they configure tables to match party sizes as much as possible. Unfortunately, for dinner at EG, we were seated at a regular table with chairs, not one of the cool booths. But we got one at breakfast one day!

Thanks. I think I took those with my telephoto lens, playing around outside the other day. I also took about 20 pictures of the geese that keep landing in our pond, but none of those were all that great.
I was excited about the round booth. I thought they looked so neat in all the pictures and was happy to get one. They kind of look like a ride.

Well then it sounds like we have a pretty good chance of being seated by ourselves. I don't mind sitting with strangers, but my DD doesn't like it at all. She is really shy and if strangers are at the table, she won't say a word all night. Also, DH deals with people all day every day with his job, and he said that he was looking forward to going somewhere that no one knows him and he didn't have to talk to anyone if he didn't want to! When I told him about the seating arrangements on the cruise, he just said, "You're kidding, right?" So I decided to put the private seating request on our reservation and hope we would get it. I'll be fine either way, but I can see his point. Vacation is supposed to be an escape from everything and everyone!

If you requested it, you should have a good chance. You can check it out when you board that day and if it looks that others are going to be seated with you you can ask and see about changing tables. Are you going on a 4 night one?

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Wow the enchanted garden is beautiful, I'm going to feel like I can't take my kids in there, Is this part of the rotation? Can't wait to see what you all ate this evening.

 

[jenseib]

Wow the enchanted garden is beautiful, I'm going to feel like I can't take my kids in there, Is this part of the rotation? Can't wait to see what you all ate this evening.

I have more details about Enchanted Garden in my dining review, which is linked in my signature "so this is what a dream taste like".
It is on the rotataion.

 

[jenseib]

We soon met our fabulous Servers, Brent and Srdjan. Srdjan called Claire a Princess right from the start and she instantly was his biggest fan!

Claire colored while we waited for our food. She was going to do the Dine and Play…meaning her food would come faster and then she would leave early to go to the kids club.

Our food came and it was delicious!

Through out dinner a photographer went around and took pictures at each table.

Claire’s dessert arrived early and she took a few bites and then Mom and I attacked it!

She then went on to the kids club.

Our desserts arrived then too.

Before we left I took a few more pictures.

 

[bombygriz]

I've just caught up with the TR...Tell me, in the Golden Mickeys, did the girl playing Ariel sing??? I've flown and been in various harnesses before, and let me tell you, I can't imagine even talking in one of those! TALENTED!

Anyways, this TR is awesome!

 

[jenseib]

I've just caught up with the TR...Tell me, in the Golden Mickeys, did the girl playing Ariel sing??? I've flown and been in various harnesses before, and let me tell you, I can't imagine even talking in one of those! TALENTED!

Anyways, this TR is awesome!

Gosh...I can't remember....I want to say yes...or at least a little bit. I do know she did a lot of hand motions, so maybe she didn't sing much.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Are you going on a 4 night one?

Well that's a good question. I actually have the 3 night AND the 4 night booked. I just can't make up my mind which one I want to do. I booked them both because the they were selling out of the cheaper rooms really fast. I've got a few months left to cancel one of them without penalty. I just keep going back and forth on which one to do. We are doing a land/sea trip and because of the way my dates work out, we will loose 2 days at WDW if we do the 4 night cruise. I can't decide if it's worth it for one extra night at sea???? What's your opinion?

 

[jenseib]

Well that's a good question. I actually have the 3 night AND the 4 night booked. I just can't make up my mind which one I want to do. I booked them both because the they were selling out of the cheaper rooms really fast. I've got a few months left to cancel one of them without penalty. I just keep going back and forth on which one to do. We are doing a land/sea trip and because of the way my dates work out, we will loose 2 days at WDW if we do the 4 night cruise. I can't decide if it's worth it for one extra night at sea???? What's your opinion?

I would do 4. You know you will most likely be back at Disney World sometime, but the cruise might be a longer time before you get back. 3 nights was not enough. We only hit 2 Disney parks and Sea World, but we still had fun. We debated at park hoppers and hittting AK too ,but I'm glad we didn't. We had busy days and lots of fun.

Also...remember that I am Disney Specialist now, so if you want to transfer your reservation to me, let me know. I can help you with any details you need!

 

[Caretames1]

I'm torn on Dandilions. On one hand Kadence will bring me a huge bunch while looking so proud and tells me she loves me. I think it the sweetest thing, but then they die with the hour, and I have to throw them and she gets mad.
So far, it hasn't been warm enough to get any, but I know my yard is usually covered. I tried stuff last year, but apparently they are hearty suckers



They did make for sweet pictures though.

 

[2_Eagle_Mom]

Jen - I just found your TR and just wanted to tell you thank you for posting all the pictures! We're going on the Fantasy in 2012 and I'm trying to get a feel for the larger ships.

I can't wait to see the rest of your pictures. I love how you get both the close up detail shots as well as the big picture.

Thanks again!

 

[Mindy5767]

Hi Jen,

I am so jealous of your excellent ability to take pictures. It makes me yearn even more to take a course in photography at the local community college. As an artist, I have the eye, but I don't have the technical skill with my camera. My point and shoot drives me nuts because I can't "make" it do what I want, but the Nikon D5000 that we spent a grand on, its so intimidating. And when it shows me that screen with all the "data" on it... I might as well be looking at a com panel on the USS Enterprise!

I wish you lived near me. I'd line your daughters dress so it wouldn't be itchy. That is one of the reasons that I made my own Snow White costume. It didn't save me any money making it, but its darned comfortable and a perfect fit! Can't beat that! I really would love to some day, get a child dress dummy so that I could more easily make clothes for children other than my own (or ones who can come for a fitting). I have a dress dummy for myself, and can adjust it a little. In fact, she just had to put on a few pounds...

As for being seated with others. On our RCL Alaska Cruise, we were a party of 13, so we had a large round table in the main dining room to ourselves. On RCL, you dine in the same dining room every night at the appointed seating time. My in-laws choose the seating time, and they always pick 5:30! I'd rather have extra time in port, but they get to choose. I'll have to deal with it. On our upcoming cruise in December to the Caribbean, they have chosen 5:30 seating. I'd rather have the 2nd seating so I can spend more time on the beach, but alas... her choice. On that trip, we're a party of 15, so they have us at 2 tables. We're never seating with others because of this. However, I wouldn't mind being seated with others... I'm chatty and my DH doesn't mind either, but Heidi... if we're seated with strangers, she won't say a word.

 

[DaisynDonald]

Hi Jen

I've been reading your trip reports for a while now, but never commented. I feel like I know your family! you do a wonderful job with all the details & your pictures are fantastic!! Can't wait to read more.

Claire is lovely!!

 

[dizneeat]

Hi Jen,

thanks for another great update! I really enjoyed being reminded of the wonderful food you had on the DREAM - can't wait until it will be our time. We'll be hitting the double digits on Friday!

 

[jenseib]

I'm torn on Dandilions. On one hand Kadence will bring me a huge bunch while looking so proud and tells me she loves me. I think it the sweetest thing, but then they die with the hour, and I have to throw them and she gets mad.
So far, it hasn't been warm enough to get any, but I know my yard is usually covered. I tried stuff last year, but apparently they are hearty suckers



They did make for sweet pictures though.

Claire gets mad that they don't live long too. She accuses me of not giving them enough water.
We've had so much rain that our grass just keeps growing and growing.

Jen - I just found your TR and just wanted to tell you thank you for posting all the pictures! We're going on the Fantasy in 2012 and I'm trying to get a feel for the larger ships.

I can't wait to see the rest of your pictures. I love how you get both the close up detail shots as well as the big picture.

Thanks again!

Thanks for reading along. I try to get as many pictures as I can, but I still come home mad that I missed so many shots. I hope to go on the Fantasy some day!!!

Hi Jen,

I am so jealous of your excellent ability to take pictures. It makes me yearn even more to take a course in photography at the local community college. As an artist, I have the eye, but I don't have the technical skill with my camera. My point and shoot drives me nuts because I can't "make" it do what I want, but the Nikon D5000 that we spent a grand on, its so intimidating. And when it shows me that screen with all the "data" on it... I might as well be looking at a com panel on the USS Enterprise!

I wish you lived near me. I'd line your daughters dress so it wouldn't be itchy. That is one of the reasons that I made my own Snow White costume. It didn't save me any money making it, but its darned comfortable and a perfect fit! Can't beat that! I really would love to some day, get a child dress dummy so that I could more easily make clothes for children other than my own (or ones who can come for a fitting). I have a dress dummy for myself, and can adjust it a little. In fact, she just had to put on a few pounds...

As for being seated with others. On our RCL Alaska Cruise, we were a party of 13, so we had a large round table in the main dining room to ourselves. On RCL, you dine in the same dining room every night at the appointed seating time. My in-laws choose the seating time, and they always pick 5:30! I'd rather have extra time in port, but they get to choose. I'll have to deal with it. On our upcoming cruise in December to the Caribbean, they have chosen 5:30 seating. I'd rather have the 2nd seating so I can spend more time on the beach, but alas... her choice. On that trip, we're a party of 15, so they have us at 2 tables. We're never seating with others because of this. However, I wouldn't mind being seated with others... I'm chatty and my DH doesn't mind either, but Heidi... if we're seated with strangers, she won't say a word.

Thats one thing I like about Disney..is the rotation. My parents are looking to cruise next year and Mom told me to price some things our for them. I warned her tha they would be in the same dining room every night unless they paid upcharges to try the other places out.

Hi Jen

I've been reading your trip reports for a while now, but never commented. I feel like I know your family! you do a wonderful job with all the details & your pictures are fantastic!! Can't wait to read more.

Claire is lovely!!

Thanks for reading...and coming out of lurkdom. Feel free to comment at any time. I enjoy hearing what people think!

Hi Jen,

thanks for another great update! I really enjoyed being reminded of the wonderful food you had on the DREAM - can't wait until it will be our time. We'll be hitting the double digits on Friday!

Oh WOW! Before you know it will be time.Everyday I think about how lucky I have been to try out the Dream. It was so beautiful!!!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I was also noticing in your pictures that people didn't look too dressed up for dinner, especially the kids. Did people not really dress up for the 3 night cruise? I was thinking that I had read there was at least one dress up night on all the cruises, but maybe I didn't. I'd love to know though. I don't want to be the only one in a dress and look like an idiot. And I would certainly prefer to skip the dress if it isn't required. If it is casual dress code, do you think nice/dressy capris would be good enough to wear? I'm really not a dress up kind of person if I don't have to be! It's hard to tell from the pictures of you and your mom exactly how dressy you were b/c the table has most of you covered.

 

[jenseib]

I was also noticing in your pictures that people didn't look too dressed up for dinner, especially the kids. Did people not really dress up for the 3 night cruise? I was thinking that I had read there was at least one dress up night on all the cruises, but maybe I didn't. I'd love to know though. I don't want to be the only one in a dress and look like an idiot. And I would certainly prefer to skip the dress if it isn't required. If it is casual dress code, do you think nice/dressy capris would be good enough to wear? I'm really not a dress up kind of person if I don't have to be! It's hard to tell from the pictures of you and your mom exactly how dressy you were b/c the table has most of you covered.

From what I hear there is no dress up night on the Dream. I knw for sure NOT on the 3 night and I haven't had it confirmed on the 4 night, but it's not listed anywhere that I can find. Some people chose to dress up one night or another, but there was nothing listed. I wore a dress on our last night by choice of me. I found most people who did dress up, did it that night and they had a couple of photographers set up for more portraits. I noticed a lot of people getting family pictures that night.

I wore black pants the first night with a sweater shirt thing, the next night pirate gear, and then the 3rd night I wore a dress.

 

[jenseib]

I was going to do an update ,but the Dis is giving me a lot of trouble tonight. So I'll try again in the morning

 

[jenseib]

Mom and I decided to go back to the shops and look some more. We didn’t have much time before dinner. I knew I wanted to get a sweatshirt for myself ( I have a bit of a sweatshirt obsession) , but I wanted to take my time and look around at all the options. I ended up getting the same one that I bought my Dis friend. It was cute and my style and it said Inaugural on it!

This is what I got!

I found one I liked for Claire as well and got that for her…..which I guess was a mistake, because she then knew we had gone shopping without her and then she didn’t ever want to go to the kids clubs anymore because she was afraid we would do something fun without her. She wasn’t upset with us, nor did she ever make a big deal about it, but I figured it out after awhile when she would ask what we were going to do if she went to the club.

I looked at the Cruise Dooney and Bourkes. I wasn’t too sure about them. They seem to be shiny with a vinyl type coating. They just weren’t doing it for me at the time. I didn’t like the shiny coating and very few were “normal”. I don’t remember if Mom made any purchases. We were both on our own roaming in and out of the different shops. I know she had things in her hand and then she would put them back, so I can’t remember if she actually made a purchase or not that evening.

We headed back to the room once again. We arrived to find our beds turned down, with a towel Animal on the main bed. They had also brought down the bunk bed in the ceiling. I had just planned to have Claire sleep with me, but I figured she would rather sleep on the bunk, which she did when she saw it.
Again, I noticed my excursion tickets still had not shown up, so I was glad I had them reprinted earlier. Our room was always clean and nice, but I just didn’t think our steward was the best. There was something that happened later on that kind of made me dislike him a bit more. (I think it was a him! LOL). He seemed to not leave everything we were supposed to have and almost seemed like he tried to do the minimum amount.

My plan was to go exploring and perhaps check out the night clubs/bars. I grabbed the wave phone to take along and realized there was a text. Claire was ready to be picked up. She had only been there over an hour. I was shocked. I have to also add that I am very new to texting. I got a Droid in Aug and that was the first user friendly phone I ever had, so it was the first phone I actually texted with for the most part. This phone was not user friendly. I had a heck of a time figuring out how to use it…..and it didn’t have a texting keyboard, so I would NEVER be able to actually text someone with it. I didn’t see directions anywhere, though I didn’t look hard either, so I really had no clue how to use it to even make a call. I think we kind of put our heads together and figured it out, but we never really used it for the most part.

So off to the kids club I went to find Claire. I had to walk through a bit of it to actually find her. She looked to be having a fabulous time. She was holding a paper she had colored and they were getting ready to play a game. But as soon as she saw me, she was ready. I asked her if it was fun, and she said yes, but she was missing us. That’s fine, but I was still a little shocked to find that I was more fun that this fabulous club.
I did NOT take pictures of the club. It was filled with kids and I wasn’t sure what the policy was, so I didn’t bother. It was so COOL inside though. I think I want to spend an afternoon there!

Claire and I decided to go up to the top decks and see how the weather was.
At some point and time during the evening the Captain had made an announcement about being on our way and stated that we would have very rough seas as we moved out of the storms. I have to say, this was extremely smooth sailing, and I don’t know if we missed the rough seas, or if the stabilizers really make that much of a difference. I have been on rough seas on both of my previous cruises and you could FEEL it. You would stumble or rock every so often and I even felt a little queasy at times, but I never had this on the Dream.
When Claire and I arrived up top we noticed nice weather. Breezy, but warm and the pools were open. First thing out of her mouth…I want to swim!
Ok, I told her lets walk around a bit and take in the ship…and a few pictures and then we’ll get her suit on. Sounds like a plan and she agreed!

A VERY blurry picture of Nemos.

 

[abcangie87]

Don't stop there! more more more! We're on the dream in 25 days and I am soaking up your details!

two questions: I've read several other places that the Nemo area was never busy at all...did you find that to be true? also, on embarkation day, was the quick-service stuff up on the pool deck (Flo's, etc) open for lunch?

okay three questions. Your pics up on deck at night are great! were you using a tripod?