The How-Do-I-Write-a-PTR PTR!

[RGirl]

That's great that y'all will be close to the elevators for your mom. Ok, some cruise questions:

What deck are y'all on?
Are y'all mid-ship, aft or forward?
Do you have an interior, ocean view or verandah?

What a nice tradition! I love going to the theatre! Ed & I used to go a lot when he was at Georgia Tech (in Atlanta) & then when we lived right outside of Atlanta. I really do miss it.

I loved the first book! I have to say that I also really liked the 2nd book. But, I won't lie, the 3rd book started to lose me. It took 2 tries before I was able to get through it. I was glad when I finally did finish it because I do want to finish the series. However, because I found book 3 to be a bit disappointing, I haven't been able to bring myself to spend money on downloading the final book. One day I will, though.

Okay, I totally had to look it up. We are on Deck 7, aft (just behind the elevators). We have a verandah - I wouldn't have booked the cruise at all if I couldn't get a verandah. I LOVE the idea of the verandah. And I also think I will feel less claustrophobic.

I hope that you are able to enjoy the theater again before long. I bet you will love it even more when you start taking Reid. My mom and I could not believe how much we enjoyed Shrek: The Musical We couldn't imagine how they were going to do it, but it was amazing!

That's interesting about the books. I can totally see how it could happen though.

 

[amandaw]

I think you'll really enjoy having the verandah! I'm glad Ed put that as one of his conditions for our cruise last May.

We were on the very aft of the Dream. I really liked the aft because it was quiet & didn't seem to have as much foot traffic. In fact, for our cruise next year on the Fantasy, I booked us again on the very aft of the ship on deck 7.

 

[RGirl]

I think you'll really enjoy having the verandah! I'm glad Ed put that as one of his conditions for our cruise last May.

We were on the very aft of the Dream. I really liked the aft because it was quiet & didn't seem to have as much foot traffic. In fact, for our cruise next year on the Fantasy, I booked us again on the very aft of the ship on deck 7.

That is great to hear! I think the elevator location may be a little noisy, but I'm not that worried about it - DD and I don't travel without white noise, so we should be good. I mean, being one floor above the boardwalk didn't bother us at all.

 

[RGirl]

How exciting for you guys!

I am going on my first cruise in (OMG I am so not ready) 5 weeks!

You have done the first best thing in my opinion, and that's finding the DISboards! Through my reading I've heard that a lot of the Alaska excursions might be kind of rough on a 5 year old anyway, so you might just see if you can find one or two low key things to try out and otherwise just really enjoy the trip. Luckily Disney seems to offer TONS to do so you should be just fine.

I bet you will have time to chill and read your Kindle, but I also bet that if you go over some of the family activities the night before, you and your daughter will be able to plan some together time ahead of time.

As for what to wear/bring, check out this link. I am not sure exactly what your itinerary includes, but it has average temps for all the areas and suggestions on what to wear as well. Even in the southwest it looks like highs in the low 60s, which to me is definitely NOT shorts weather.

Looking forward to watching your journey!

Welcome!!! Thanks for joining in!

And WOW!!! Thank you so much for all the helpful info. I am excited to check out the link.

How exciting that you are doing your first cruise in 5 weeks. I assume the Caribbean? Which ship?

 

[shan23877]

How nice that your mom and a friend are going too! ( I'm assuming that you enjoy traveling with her) Maybe you really will get some adult time!

I can't imagine how hard being a single parent must be sometimes-especially on vacation. I'm really glad that you'll get some real down time on the cruise.

WooHoo for an upgrade!! That's awesome!

Enjoy Wicked! We saw it in Chicago and loved it-the book is excellent as well!

 

[RGirl]

How nice that your mom and a friend are going too! ( I'm assuming that you enjoy traveling with her) Maybe you really will get some adult time!

I can't imagine how hard being a single parent must be sometimes-especially on vacation. I'm really glad that you'll get some real down time on the cruise.

WooHoo for an upgrade!! That's awesome!

Enjoy Wicked! We saw it in Chicago and loved it-the book is excellent as well!

Yeah, I think it would be really fun if the three grown-ups could do a dinner at Palo or something. I have no idea if we can even get a ressie, but that would be so fun - I haven't gone out to a nice dinner with no kids in, well, five years! But if it doesn't happen, that's okay too. I really do love vacationing with DD. And, really, our vacations that have been just the two of us have been more relaxing - I have only been in charge of our good time rather than everyone else's (which is somehow the way it ends up in other situations ).

Parenting alone definitely has its challenges, but I love it. I wouldn't change our relationship for anything - it is the best thing that ever happened to me. Could I use a day off? Heck yeah! But it's all good. And taking this little trip this weekend should be very rejuvenating.

So glad to hear you enjoyed Wicked! I have never heard anyone say they didn't. I am THRILLED that we are finally going!!!!

 

[Disney9.9.10]

Congrats on the upgrade! That is so exciting! We got a free upgrade on our first DCL cruise as well, it was such a wonderful surprise

 

[JLCJMC]

The upgrade sounds perfect -- the verandah sounds lovely -- is there a place to sit out there? I really know nothing about the ships, since my travel buddy has NO interest and I get motion sick on pretty much anything, I have never looked into it.

Nice that your Mom and her friend are coming -- someone to chat with, but they have each other to entertain so you will get some time alone too I love a little time alone -- people often seem confused by that, but every once in a while some time totally to myself is just heaven!

Looking forward to hearing all about Wicked - I have heard it is amazing Enjoy!!!

 

[meplus3]

Hi! Can't wait to read more of you PTR! I just read your other TRs, loved all the pics! We were at WDW the week before you and had a great time too! I especially loved the DLR TR....that's my dream...someday...but it's on the other side of the country $$$$$$

 

[pas130]

Great upgrade!!!! How nice you'll have your mom (and her BFF) when Willow is at the "club" I am glad she is excited too!!! Ahhhhh verandah (yup I am still too chicken to go on a cruise...but if I did I am sure I'd wanta verandah )

 

[RGirl]

First, I apologize for taking so long to reply (or update)!!! We took a little trip over a long weekend, and lately, I only ever have time to get on here on the weekends.

Congrats on the upgrade! That is so exciting! We got a free upgrade on our first DCL cruise as well, it was such a wonderful surprise

Thanks!! We are pretty excited for the upgrade. How many cruises have you done? Have you ever done the Alaska one?

The upgrade sounds perfect -- the verandah sounds lovely -- is there a place to sit out there? I really know nothing about the ships, since my travel buddy has NO interest and I get motion sick on pretty much anything, I have never looked into it.

Nice that your Mom and her friend are coming -- someone to chat with, but they have each other to entertain so you will get some time alone too I love a little time alone -- people often seem confused by that, but every once in a while some time totally to myself is just heaven!

Looking forward to hearing all about Wicked - I have heard it is amazing Enjoy!!!

Yes, there are chairs (and, I think, a little table?) on the verandah. I dream of sitting out there with a cup of coffee in the morning or a glass of wine in the evening and watching the glaciers and wildlife and the ocean.

I totally hear you - I have ALWAYS loved time to myself. It is rare and precious now!

I will write a brief update about our little trip, although I don't have any pictures uploaded (hardly took any anyway ).

Hi! Can't wait to read more of you PTR! I just read your other TRs, loved all the pics! We were at WDW the week before you and had a great time too! I especially loved the DLR TR....that's my dream...someday...but it's on the other side of the country $$$$$$

Welcome!!! I can't believe you read through the other TR! Wasn't that a great time to be at WDW???? Wow - we had a great time at DLR, but it is easier for us than WDW since we live in Washington State.

Great upgrade!!!! How nice you'll have your mom (and her BFF) when Willow is at the "club" I am glad she is excited too!!! Ahhhhh verandah (yup I am still too chicken to go on a cruise...but if I did I am sure I'd wanta verandah )

Yeah, I'm really glad that my mom and her friend will be joining us. I like to see my mom have fun - she doesn't enjoy life that much anymore.

 

[RGirl]

Okay, so an "update"!

As I predicted, now that I have paid for the cruise, I am suddenly getting very excited about it!!! Funny how that works.

Last weekend, Willow, my mom and I headed over to Portland, Oregon to see Wicked. I took Friday and Monday off, so we had a really great little break together. Before I get to the cruise updates, let me just say that Wicked was AMAZING! If you haven't, go now! Run!!! Do it!!! Seriously, all three of us really had a great time. It is a very long production, but Willow never got bored or caused any trouble. In fact, I think she may be a bigger fan of Elphaba (the "wicked" witch) than of Dorothy, which is really saying something when you know that my child has been a HUGE WOZ fan for years and even went as Dorothy last Halloween. Anyway, we had a lot of fun at the show, a ton of fun dining out every night, shopping for Spring and Summer clothes for Willow, hanging out together, etc. Great weekend!

And, much more relevant to this PTR, I sucked it up and paid the balance on our cruise while we were in Portland. And, voila!, I am now excited about the cruise! I even started investigating excursions and saving as "favorites" some that might work for us. I do NOT want to spend a ton, and I have to find things that will be both friendly for a small child and for an older woman with mobility issues - the good news? Those last two criteria encompass all of the cheapest excursions!

 

[Nora03]

Hi
I'm mostly a lurker, but wanted to tell you that I have enjoyed reading your trip reports. Your daughter is adorable and it looks like you'll have many fun trips with her.

We went on an Alaskan cruise two years ago, but it wasn't a Disney cruise. Just DH and me. Thought I'd tell you a few things that we did just to give you some ideas. I'm not sure what your itinerary or ports are. In Ketchikan we went to the Lumberjack show and it was a lot of fun and then we just wandered around the town. We went up on the funicular and then walked down. Beautiful views.

In Juneau we went on a whale watching tour which we loved, but it's pricey. However, you do have lots of opportunities to see dolphins and whales from the ship. We had a balcony and we bundled up and sat out there and watched some days, or went to a spot inside that had large windows and a naturalist who pointed out sites of interest.

In Skagway we went on the White Pass Railroad and loved the scenery, but it might be a bit long for your daughter. We also went into the town. There are shuttle busses that pick you up at the dock and it's only $2.

In Sitka and Icy Strait Point we just shopped and walked around the towns and enjoyed the scenery and it was very peaceful. We were glad that we didn't plan a tour.

We also went to Victoria and went to Butchard Gardens and a city tour. We loved Butchard Gardens. We'd been before but it was about 20 years ago when our daughters were little.

We started the cruise in San Francisco and spent four days there. I was just as excited about that as I was for the cruise. We ended in Vancouver and flew home that day as we've been there many times.

I hope this helps you a little. Do you go on Cruise Critics? I found lots of info on there and there might even be a Roll Call for your cruise - also on Dis.

Nora

 

[amandaw]

Sounds like y'all had a lovely weekend! I really hope I can see Wicked one day.

And Yay! for paying off your cruise! I'm so happy that you're getting more excited! And how great that the excursions you're looking at are some of the cheapest.

 

[RGirl]

Hi
I'm mostly a lurker, but wanted to tell you that I have enjoyed reading your trip reports. Your daughter is adorable and it looks like you'll have many fun trips with her.

We went on an Alaskan cruise two years ago, but it wasn't a Disney cruise. Just DH and me. Thought I'd tell you a few things that we did just to give you some ideas. I'm not sure what your itinerary or ports are. In Ketchikan we went to the Lumberjack show and it was a lot of fun and then we just wandered around the town. We went up on the funicular and then walked down. Beautiful views.

In Juneau we went on a whale watching tour which we loved, but it's pricey. However, you do have lots of opportunities to see dolphins and whales from the ship. We had a balcony and we bundled up and sat out there and watched some days, or went to a spot inside that had large windows and a naturalist who pointed out sites of interest.

In Skagway we went on the White Pass Railroad and loved the scenery, but it might be a bit long for your daughter. We also went into the town. There are shuttle busses that pick you up at the dock and it's only $2.

In Sitka and Icy Strait Point we just shopped and walked around the towns and enjoyed the scenery and it was very peaceful. We were glad that we didn't plan a tour.

We also went to Victoria and went to Butchard Gardens and a city tour. We loved Butchard Gardens. We'd been before but it was about 20 years ago when our daughters were little.

We started the cruise in San Francisco and spent four days there. I was just as excited about that as I was for the cruise. We ended in Vancouver and flew home that day as we've been there many times.

I hope this helps you a little. Do you go on Cruise Critics? I found lots of info on there and there might even be a Roll Call for your cruise - also on Dis.

Nora

Welcome Nora!!! You read the never-ending TR too??? Wow - thank you! I hope that you will stay and post some more. My gosh - you have already been so helpful. And several of the things that you have mentioned are exactly the types of things that I am considering!!!! I know that I have saved one of the train rides (can't remember which one right now), so it is great to hear that you enjoyed yours. Willow is pretty patient and able to enjoy things that take some time, so I am hoping that she will be okay if it takes awhile. I LOVE whale watching (did it a couple of times when I lived in Boston) - I would love to book such an excursion, but then my mom mentioned that they saw whales several times from the ship when she and my dad cruised Alaska years ago. Not sure what to do - sounds like you had the same experience. What do you recommend?

I remember reading about the Disney Alaska cruise that started in SF. I lived there until moving here in 2007, so I KNOW you had a great time there.

I had totally forgotten about cruise critic! I should check it out now that I am actually going to cruise!

Sounds like y'all had a lovely weekend! I really hope I can see Wicked one day.

And Yay! for paying off your cruise! I'm so happy that you're getting more excited! And how great that the excursions you're looking at are some of the cheapest.

We really did have a great weekend. I am super-stressed about the possibility of moving now though, will have to update on that too, I guess, although I'm not sure whether I have talked to anyone but you about it. Maybe I will just post my uber-stress in a reply to you at some point. You lucky girl.....

You really do have to see Wicked. It is VERY different from the book, but having read the book, you know that it would have to be. It was like they took the idea of the book and then created a story that was perfect for musical theater. It was really good. I was most blown away by how much Willow loved it. A friend had really freaked me out because she had seen it and she is certain that her daughter (older than Willow) would be completely afraid. Turns out it is not scary at all - Willow did not have a moment where she was fearful. She just loved the whole thing. And actually asked for Wicked as her "dream trip" several times after.

Blah, blah, blah. Sorry - I'm a little talk-y after being gone for so long!

 

[pas130]

Yeah, I'm really glad that my mom and her friend will be joining us. I like to see my mom have fun - she doesn't enjoy life that much anymore.

Awww, happy that she has something to get excited over.....


PAID IN FULL DANCE

 

[amandaw]

We really did have a great weekend. I am super-stressed about the possibility of moving now though, will have to update on that too, I guess, although I'm not sure whether I have talked to anyone but you about it. Maybe I will just post my uber-stress in a reply to you at some point. You lucky girl.....

Uh oh....this sounds interesting! Does it have to do with the DC job? I'll be waiting for the scoop.....

You really do have to see Wicked. It is VERY different from the book, but having read the book, you know that it would have to be. It was like they took the idea of the book and then created a story that was perfect for musical theater. It was really good. I was most blown away by how much Willow loved it. A friend had really freaked me out because she had seen it and she is certain that her daughter (older than Willow) would be completely afraid. Turns out it is not scary at all - Willow did not have a moment where she was fearful. She just loved the whole thing. And actually asked for Wicked as her "dream trip" several times after.

Blah, blah, blah. Sorry - I'm a little talk-y after being gone for so long! [/QUOTE]

I have to recheck but I think Wicked is coming to New Orleans next May. Of course, our cruise is in May as well. But, if I can make it work, I'm there!

Yeah, when they 1st came out with the musical & I saw that people were bringing their kids, I thought, "Ok. It must be really different from the book." Just because the book definitely has some very adult moments & topics. But, I'm interested to see how they changed it.

Don't worry about being talk-y! It's your PTR, talk our ears off if you want!

 

[Disney9.9.10]

To answer the questions you asked me, this will only be my second DCL cruise, and no I haven't been on an Alaska cruise, but it looks so beautiful! I live in Canada, so I am not too crazy about the idea of a "cold cruise" lol

I have heard so many great things about Wicked, I am glad you enjoyed it! I loved the book, and while I'm sure it would have to be hugely adapted for musical theatre, would love to see it!

 

[CandleontheWater]

Sorry I'm late to the party, but I'm excited about your PTR adventures!

My brother and SIL went on the Disney cruise to Alaska last year and LOVED it! I don't remember all the excursions they went on, but they enjoyed every one. They are wearing jeans and light jackets in all their pictures, so I'm guessing its not that warm (really scientific, right? )

I'm so glad to year you enjoyed Wicked, we saw the show in Jacksonville, FL right before we moved to DC and really loved it too. I'd love to see it again!

Oh, and all you ladies and your cruises have inspired me. I have decided that as soon as Everett is potty trained we are going. I keep telling Everett that when he uses the potty like a big boy, we'll go on a Disney boat. Nothing like bribery, right?

 

[amandaw]

Oh, and all you ladies and your cruises have inspired me. I have decided that as soon as Everett is potty trained we are going. I keep telling Everett that when he uses the potty like a big boy, we'll go on a Disney boat. Nothing like bribery, right?

Don't feel about using bribery - I bribed Reid with M&M's when I potty trained him! And I think that's a great decision to do a cruise once he's potty trained. I think y'all will love it!