The McSparklesons Sail the Magic... AGAIN! $500 Potato Chips! 3/13

[jenseib]

I just LOVED that horn battle...so much so that I "borrowed" it and posted it on facebook. If that isn't OK, let me know and I'll take it off.

I would be crying...or tearing up..or maybe it's just something in my eye...too!
We are trying early dinner this time around too. I really liked late dinner and the early show, so we'll see how this one goes for me. I am only do it because other family members prefer the early seating.
I guess I don't care as along as I am on a Disney ship! I am hoping for some great deal on the Magic or Wonder in the future so I can check them out too. O love the Dream, and I'm sure I would be happy on the classics too.

I became a balcony snob last cruise when I got a taste of it. But I have had ocean view and inside on another cruiseline...and honestly I could do either of those again. Balconies are fabulous, but the ships itself is what is great and I wasn't in the room a lot anyways.
I can't wait to hear more.

 

[papertraveller]

So loving the horn battle, in all of its epicness.

Please, what kind of camera do you have? All of my sail away videos suffer from too much wind noise. Does you camera automatically adjust for that?

 

[OurDogCisco]

Great horn battle.... I'm loving the trip report and can't wait to read more!!! Thanks for taking the time.

 

[dvc4life]

Kara - when we were on our Dream Cruise in March, the 22nd through 27, we got to see the Fantasy three times. It was sooooooo cool. On pirate night we got to watch the fireworks from the Dream and then the Fantasy did their's. Then we sailed by the Fantasy while it was docked at CC, including the horn battle - Dream won by the way (lol), and then they passed by us that night on their way back to PC, with more horns going back and forth. In fact, my new picture is me on the Dream with the Fantasy in the background! This was before their Maiden Voyage. It was soooo cool! We never knew when we booked this cruise that we would have such good fortune. It really was a once in a lifetime experience. Sorry, just had to share!

 

[karajeboo]

I have been eagerly awaiting the McSparkleson Epic Horn Battle Video.

That...

was...

AWESOME!!!!!

I know!!!!! It got me all choked up!! Oh, who's kidding who... I cried!

I am!!! Can't wait to meet them!!! I'll keep that in mind about the kids...

I cried watching the videos!!!! No judging here!

I cannot wait for the Sail Away Party and countdown. I'm going to be a bawling mess!

The sailaway party is THE BEST!!!! It just sets the tone for the rest of the cruise! And someone gave us a cd in our FE on this cruise that has ALL the music from sailaway and pirate party!!! So I used it in my movie (which I just finished btw, and will post on youtube soon......)......

I finally made it over here! Can't wait to read this one! We were just about a month ahead of you on the Magic - Feb 25th Eastern for us, so this is just a trip down memory lane! We were on deck 7 inside cabin, so close!

Love the Pippi Longstocking pic (aka Ally), and sorry to say, that boy was the first Russell Griswold. At least they cast better ones for the Christmas Vacation!

You were just above us!!!! I may have heard your toilet flush!

OK glad I wasnt alone I did too, then E came by asked what I was watching saw it rolled his eyes and walked away , he just doenst get it.

If he weren't so darn handsome I'd say just leave him......

Okay so the video got me. I loved them all but the one with the battle of the horns. The first time it blew When you with upon a star.... I got goose bumps and had tears in my eyes. What can I say? I'm a Disney sap.

You are not alone.... I think there were quite a few saps that day, including all those crew members on both ships who were out watching!!!!

Love the horn battle!

kate

So cool!

Hi, there! I've been lurking on your TR, but just had to tell you the horn battle got me. I got all teary with goosebumps! Had I been there I might have needed sedation or another DOTD. Loved it!

I'm so glad you came out of lurkdom!!!! I think my DOTDs helped keep me sedated!

Joining in. I found your last DCL TR after you were finished but had to read the whole thing. Love your writing style. I'm not sure if I posted at the end or not?

We have only been on a 3 night Dream cruise but we are now determined to cruise as much as possible too. I would like to book cheaper staterooms but DH is still stuck on having a balcony. We are going to be on the Freedom of the Seas in Sept. and it cost $800 more for a balcony over a window. I told him I am going to time each time he sits on the balcony so I can see how much an hour of balcony time is costing us.

I am glad to see that Ally enjoys DCL. Our DD is 7, but I would like to get on the Fantasy Oct of 2014 when she will be turning 10. Sometimes I worry she'll be too cool for DCL especially after the Flowrider and skating rink on RCL.

That is so funny! I'm dying to know how much that balcony costs per hour!!!! I know for us at $800 for 7 days that is $115/day, right? So I'm guessing it would cost us about $115/hour because I can't imagine us out there more than an hour total each day, maybe 15 minutes when we wake up, 30 minutes while waiting for others to get ready, and 15 minutes before bed.... yup, that's a pretty pricey balcony!

I just LOVED that horn battle...so much so that I "borrowed" it and posted it on facebook. If that isn't OK, let me know and I'll take it off.

I would be crying...or tearing up..or maybe it's just something in my eye...too!
We are trying early dinner this time around too. I really liked late dinner and the early show, so we'll see how this one goes for me. I am only do it because other family members prefer the early seating.
I guess I don't care as along as I am on a Disney ship! I am hoping for some great deal on the Magic or Wonder in the future so I can check them out too. O love the Dream, and I'm sure I would be happy on the classics too.

I became a balcony snob last cruise when I got a taste of it. But I have had ocean view and inside on another cruiseline...and honestly I could do either of those again. Balconies are fabulous, but the ships itself is what is great and I wasn't in the room a lot anyways.
I can't wait to hear more.

Post away!!!! No matter what, the Magic will ALWAYS win EVERY horn battle because she has a REAL HORN!!!!! No digital fake "horn" for her!

You hit the proverbial nail on the head. It's the ship, not the cabin that makes the cruise......

So loving the horn battle, in all of its epicness.

Please, what kind of camera do you have? All of my sail away videos suffer from too much wind noise. Does you camera automatically adjust for that?

I have a Nikon D5000 that I LOVE! Last year it was "okay" but I had just taken a class and really struggled with settings. Since then I've gotten tips from other message boards (Cruise Critic) from people who just have FABULOUS photos and they've helped me learn how to set it for different lighting etc.

The camcorder is a Sony, but not sure what model? It's about a year old - we bought it right before the cruise last year.

I firmly believe in learning how to use these cameras in order to truly love them. I am trying to get Jeff to take a camera class too. I almost minored in photography in college, but those were 35mm film cameras. The concept is all still the same, but I got away from it for so long that I forgot all about f-stop, aperture, shutter speed, etc. It's coming back to me now though and I'm having fun with the camera!

Great horn battle.... I'm loving the trip report and can't wait to read more!!! Thanks for taking the time.

I will have an update today or tomorrow!!! Thank you!

Kara - when we were on our Dream Cruise in March, the 22nd through 27, we got to see the Fantasy three times. It was sooooooo cool. On pirate night we got to watch the fireworks from the Dream and then the Fantasy did their's. Then we sailed by the Fantasy while it was docked at CC, including the horn battle - Dream won by the way (lol), and then they passed by us that night on their way back to PC, with more horns going back and forth. In fact, my new picture is me on the Dream with the Fantasy in the background! This was before their Maiden Voyage. It was soooo cool! We never knew when we booked this cruise that we would have such good fortune. It really was a once in a lifetime experience. Sorry, just had to share!

That is so cool! I remember seeing pics of the Dream and Fantasy. It is one thing to see a Carnival ship in port, or pass a RCI ship on the open sea. But to see another DCL ship is really mesmerizing!!!!

I'm so glad you got to see that! Now we will BOTH be on that Fantasy on NYE!!!!

 

[mauigal]

So glad to have been referred to your TR's from jenseib.....
Can't wait for the rest!

 

[karajeboo]

Almost forgot a couple of really cool shots that Kristi got for me from sailaway!!!!

Kristi, I don't care what Steve says, I think you are A-OK!!!!

This is MY Magic! As in, I WAS ON THIS SHIP, IN THIS PHOTO, ME, MYSELF, AND I (and Jeff and Ally, too.....). This is the Magic sailing on March 30, 2012.... get it?

And that would be ME!!!! Yeah, all three of Me!!! and Jeff and Ally, too....

I'm wearing the blurry red shirt, Jeff is behind me in a blurry navy shirt, and Ally is two people to my right in a blurry white shirt (you can make out Ally's lanyard hanging on her chest) and we are all waving, hands high in the sky.....

And there we go, all three of ME, plus Jeff and Ally and about 2600 of my closest friends, as we sail past the Fantasy!!!

So thankful to Kristi for snagging these photos for me!!! I just added them to my movie at the last minute and I swear they made the whole thing so much better!!!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Awesome pictures!!! I look forward to the video!

 

[KristiMc]

Glad I could get the pictures. It was neat watching the Magic sail away with someone I know on it. I can't wait to watch your movie.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

We bailed out of muster drill, well not BAILED exactly, that is not exactly the best term to use when getting ready to head out to sea...... But as soon as we EXITED muster drill, we ran back to the cabin... well, not RAN exactly because that would be dangerous.... we WALKED BRISKLY back to our cabin to check for our luggage.

I'm sure you never run when it's inappropriate - I know you are never a rule breaker!

Dang Flabbit! The bag of water was there, but still no sign of my luggage or Ally's..... And we're the pretty ones!!! We need our "stuff" for fixin up!

Of course Jeff said the right thing - "You're both beautiful already - you don't need your stuff!"

So off we BRISKLY WALKED to Deck 10 to scope out our spot for Sail Away. I wanted to be near starboard forward area (that's the right front for you land lubbers) so we would be visible on the Port Canaveral webcam for sailaway. I had already posted our spot on Facebook and by golly I was gonna be there to wave to all those poor saps back home!!! Especially those who were watching from work (Drea......)

Oh yes, you Briskley Walked to Deck 10 - jumping over tables and knocking babies and old ladies down so you could get your spot front of the rail - on the way there you swooped in and grabbed a DOTD off a tray being carried around by the CMs.

I found a nice spot by the rail, right behind a little "table" so I could rest my DOTD.... Priorities, my friends..... priorities.

See? do I know you or what?

Ally and Tori were wedged in right by the rail and we all had our streamers to wave......

And then.

It

Was

Time!

Tisa came out to introduce us to some very important folks.... "Moms and Dads, these are your new best friends for the week.... The youth activities team!!!!!"

Oh yeah, we cheered.... we sang... we danced...

Some obviously better than others....

We then got to meet our Cruise Director.... he was no Peter Popper (aka Peter Hoffer)......

This time we got....

Darren McBlarneystone (aka Darren McBarney).

Something about those microphones at sea... they distort names something AWFUL!!!! Or maybe it was those Drinks of the Day!!!!

Loved loved LOVED Darren McBlarneystone!!!!

Especially when he introduced his friends!!!

McBlarneystone instroduces the Big Cheese! - VIDEO - click to play!

Yes, that was JEff filming me crying..... hey it's what I do - don't judge me!!!

What is it about that stupid mouse???? He makes me so stupid and happy and weepy and happy and, oh heck, just keep reading....

Shake it Pluto!!!

We sang some more.... we danced some more.... we had another DOTD.... until it was THAT time...

Sail Away Countdown - VIDEO - click to play!

As soon as we were finished shaking what our mamas gave us.... (no offense, but Donald's mama gave him a LOT!), we moved into position to be webcam stars!

And here we goooooooo!

Right on top of the blue roof of Fishlips is the webcam. We waved like crazy - seems the more active you are, the closer they will zoom in on you. So Ally was gonna make SURE we were on camera!

There were a lot more people up on deck this time than there were last year.

And it's all because of this....

Ole McBlarneystone told us all about the "firsts" this trip - first time two Disney ships in Port Canaveral together. First time two Disney ships in ANY port together...... And he warned us of the "epic horn battle" that would soon begin.....

So....

Who's ready for the horn battle?????

EPIC Horn Battle - VIDEO - click to play!

One thing I did learn.... even though the Dream and Fantasy have several different tunes their "horn" plays, they don't have real horns. The Magic and Wonder have REAL horns you can see from the Quiet Cove Pool if you look up at the base of the stack. The Dream and Fantasy have digital "horns."

So there. We win!

Although it is kinda sad listening to the Magic play the same tune over.. and over... and over.... She's like the little runt who just won't give up!!!!!

The Fantasy can play all those different tunes, but by golly the Magic will When You Wish Upon a Star until the cows come home!!! Or the fishing boats in this case.... Or at least until someone throws themselves overboard....

In any case (we still won!), the crew of the FAntasy was all up on deck, too, I guess to be a part of history!

There were stateroom attendants on the balconies, maintenance crew all gathered below on that little "gangplank" plus tons of crew up on deck!

Very cool to be a part of this.....

And yes. I cried. Don't judge.

As soon as we past the Fantasy, it was time to BRISKLY WALK back to steerage so we could get ready for dinner.

Last cruise we had late dinner seating, this time we decided to try early dinner seating at 545pm.

There were good and bad points to each. The problem for us, with late seating, was that we were always so full to really go "out" after dinner and usually ended up in bed by 10pm! We still ended up getting ready in time for early dinner because we'd go to the 615 shows and then have photos taken between the show and dinner. So having early dinner didn't really force us to get ready any earlier..... However, when in port, we did miss our early dinner once because we just didn't want to cut short our time in port to get on the ship that early......

Basically, I think we'd choose late dinner seating (in fact that IS what we have chosen for our next cruise) but if we were assigned the early seating, I would not make a big deal out of trying to change it. For us there just wasn't THAT much of a difference in how we planned our day.....

When we arrived back in steerage, after playing hopscotch with the rats, we... what? OK, so maybe I remember THAT part of steerage from Titanic....

And again, for all those who have posted that the Magic is "showing her age" and "looking old" and other such nonsense? That is the FURTHEST from the truth!!!! She is a BEAUTIFUL ship in great condition!!!! Even when we were side by side with the Fantasy, you would never have guessed the Magic was 14 years old, compared with that brand new ship.

Well, except for the rats....

Up next.... FIRST NIGHT'S DINNER!!!!!

I saw you guys! Someone posted a pic of the ship and I thought that was you! Love the horn battle!

Oh, and it's not a rat - it's a MOUSE!

Glad to hear the Magic is still beautifully kept up - and that all is good in steerage!

 

[tony64]

YAH, I love McSpankly trip reports.

May I just say "looking good Mrs. McSpankly", your formal night photo shows just how lucky a man your husband is.

How he could even consider looking twice at a certain mouse, who shall remain nameless, on the last cruise is beyond me.

 

[karajeboo]

Awesome pictures!!! I look forward to the video!

Thank you!!!! I'm working on editing it, right now it has a bit too much personal info - shows our full name and city, etc, on the Castaway Cay video and a couple photos..... I don't think I want that out there on youtube!

Glad I could get the pictures. It was neat watching the Magic sail away with someone I know on it. I can't wait to watch your movie.

It was soooo cool! I surprised Jeff and Ally when I put those pics in the movie! So cool to see us sailing away!

I saw you guys! Someone posted a pic of the ship and I thought that was you! Love the horn battle!

Oh, and it's not a rat - it's a MOUSE!

Glad to hear the Magic is still beautifully kept up - and that all is good in steerage!

Yes, you DO know me well!!!! Still not sure it was a mouse in steerage, he usually hangs out in the lobby where the rich folk go..... Oh wait, they unlocked the gates so we could head up there ocassionally too!

YAH, I love McSpankly trip reports.

May I just say "looking good Mrs. McSpankly", your formal night photo shows just how lucky a man your husband is.

How he could even consider looking twice at a certain mouse, how shall remain nameless, on the last cruise is beyond me.

Tony Tony Tony!!! You are my new favorite reader!!!!!

Leaving Saturday for WDW then Sunday I sail with the DISmoms on a 4 night Dream cruise, so I'm going to try to finish up the first day before I go......

 

[hardingk]

Just found your review! Joining in....can't wait to read more!!!

 

[anewmac]

Tony Tony Tony!!! You are my new favorite reader!!!!!
WHAT-EVERRR LOL

Leaving Saturday for WDW then Sunday I sail with the DISmoms on a 4 night Dream cruise, so I'm going to try to finish up the first day before I go......

and there you go with one last elbow to the gut to the rest of us that didnt win a ticket in a poker game to sail on the Titanic.. err Dream

 

[tinkerbelltwins]

Have a great time on your Dream cruise with the other Dismoms! Can't wait to hear all about it in a future trip report.

Beth

 

[karajeboo]

Just found your review! Joining in....can't wait to read more!!!

So glad you found it!!!! Working on an update now! But I have to get my nails done and buy a first communion gift for Jeff's nephew for tomorrow.... yes, Jeff and Ally are going out of town tonight for the weekend, and I get to buy the gift for an event I'm not attending.... But who cares? I'm going on a cruise while they are driving home on Sunday!

and there you go with one last elbow to the gut to the rest of us that didnt win a ticket in a poker game to sail on the Titanic.. err Dream

Well, Tony said I was gorgeous, stunning, hot mama, to die for, and a bunch of other things I don't want to repeat for fear of embarassing him..... It's a shame his seeing eye dog is blind......

And we ain't traveling no steerage on this DISmoms trip!!!! You know that Ellen, she's all high falutin, I'll call her Cal...... Me? I'm more of a Molly Brown type, but waaaaaaay hotter.... at least according to Tony.....

You gonna watch us sail away? 5pm on Sunday, same bat time, same bat channel..... I mean, www.portcanaveralwebcam.com. Don't know where we will be yet - somewhere up on deck along with 4000 of our closest friends.... Look for 4 hot mamas all wearing matching black tank tops with a grey/white design on the front (a friend designed a great Capt Jack design for us for our theme this year)......

I will try to see if we can be in the same general area we hung our for the McSparkleson sail away..... Just ask Tony. He couldn't take his eyes off the screen!!!

 

[karajeboo]

AFTER hurdling rats, mice, whatever vermin you can think of..... we arrived back to our stateroom# 6631 to find ALL our luggage had arrived!!! Yea!!!!

We didn't have time for a shower, but luckily the ripeness was kept to a minimum since it wasn't too hot up on deck. Lucky for our tablemates, that is!!!!

We quickly changed but then realized, there really is no hurry to the dining room the first three nights. The line out the door is forever long with people arriving early and being escorted to their table the first night in each dining room. And we're pros at this, remember? So we decided to be....

Fashionably late.

Cause we are cool like that.

Or just running late, whatever!!!

Our first night was in Animator's this cruise, and tonight would be the show dinner. Of all the dinners, I think the first night is the most casual, but we never go in shorts or jeans. I know some do, and I don't judge, it doesn't ruin my experience, but I feel that if DCL states "no shorts or jean" that I should not dress myself nor my family that way.

But tonight was most definitely cruise casual, in just capris and a comfy blouse.....

We prepurchased the 5 night wine premium wine package for this cruise, and tonight we ordered the Pouilly-Fuissé, absolutely one of my favorite whites, you can never go wrong with it!

For my appy I ordered the
Ahi Tuna Tartare
With Caviar, Chives, and Wasabi Cream

Actually I think Jeff ordered that because I had it last time and LOVED it!

I ordered the
Wild Mushroom Risotto and Porcini Twist
Served with Parmigiano-Reggiano

LOVE me some risotto, but this was not my favorite of the cruise. Great flavor but a bit undercooked and chewy.....

Ally was all excited to order of the adult menu so she started with the
Baked Potato and Cheddar Cheese Soup
with bacon bits and chives

We all joined her and ordered soup as well..... This is one of the "hardest" parts of cruising.

Eating. There is so much to choose from and I feel it is my civic duty to taste as much as possible.

For you. Just remember that I do it for you.

And not the spanx.....

Ally ordered the
Lemon-Thyme Marinated Chicken Breast
On top of Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Root Vegetables, and Grain Mustard Jus

It was excellent, and perfect for a child who wants to order off the adult menu, but doesn't want anything crazy. It sounds pretty, but was fairly ordinary.....

Jeff got the
Animator's Grilled Veal Chop
With Roasted Red Bliss Potatoes with Sweet Onions and a Morel Mushroom Sauce

I think he enjoyed it?

I ordered the
Phyllo-Wrapped Salmon Fillet
With Sun-dried Tomato, Garlic Cream Cheese on Fava Beans, and Green Pea Ragoût

By far the worst meal of the cruise. By no means was the food terrible, or even just "not good" but this I did not enjoy at all.... It was not recommended to me, but just sounded good.....

I think Ally ordered the Sweet Temptations dessert just about every night because it was a sampling of three different desserts....

Tonight I ordered the
Buckled Warm Apple Crumble

Everyone agreed I had the best dessert of the night! It was really good!

Jeff ordered the
Cranberry and Orange Cheesecake
With a rich, dark Chocolate Sauce

I thought this was very good, too, but I'll stick to the crumble!

Tammi and Tori at dinner.....

Some "before" pics of Animator's......

And....

Finally, it's showtime!!!!

Animator's Show - VIDEO - click to play!

Some little girl raced up to Mickey and stepped on his robe and almost sent him to the ground. If that would have happened, I would have taken her out. Cause I've got Mickey's back.....

That would have been a great photo if Ally's big ole head wasn't in the way....

Our server Stiliyan following Mickey near the end of the show.....

More Animator's Show - VIDEO - click to play!

Our servers really seemed busy this night, although our main server Gusti turned out to be great all week. Stiliyan, the assistant server, was a bit slow. He was very excited though because he was heading back to Bulgaria after this cruise to spend 12 weeks with his family. But if you know me, you know I like wine. And it was tough for us to finish a bottle of wine between the three of us (that would be Tammi, not Ally!!!!) unless he left it on the table for us to pour ourselves......

Again, great guy, and slow service does not ruin a dinner for me, but it was hard to top last year's service. And Jeff reminded me that last year, our servers had one less table because a family had moved to the other dinner seating, so they were able to spend a lot more time with us and we really felt we got to know them so much better last year.

After dinner we wandered around the ship, as it welcomed us back.

No really, there were several times I think I heard whispers of, "Welcome Back Kara!" Or "Look! That's the McSparklesons, they're back!" Things like that.....

We definitely didn't want to miss the show the first night because we did not see this on our last cruise. So off we went!

This is the only night I took photos (no flash!) at the shows because they began to announce NO photos or video of any kind. I'm guessing it's because even though they have always said "no flash" people forget to turn it off and that creates a problem.

We didn't stay out too late this night as the first day is always so chaotic. Just the anticipation and excitment of seeing that beautiful ship for the first time, boarding, sail away, first dinner, meeting your servers, seeing your room, waiting on luggage, it all crates a frenzied first day. So we stopped for a drink after the show and then called it an early night.

Up next.... Key West!!!!

I am leaving tomorrow for Disney World to meet up with my DISmoms!!! On Sunday we are taking a car to Port Canaveral and boarding the Dream for a 4 night cruise!!!! I'm sure this will be a very fun and entertaining TR also, watch for it..... DISmoms 4 - The Hunt for Jack Sparrow.... coming soon to a DISboards near you.....

See y'all next week!!!!

 

[luvslikepi]

I am leaving tomorrow for Disney World to meet up with my DISmoms!!! On Sunday we are taking a car to Port Canaveral and boarding the Dream for a 4 night cruise!!!! I'm sure this will be a very fun and entertaining TR also, watch for it..... DISmoms 4 - The Hunt for Jack Sparrow.... coming soon to a DISboards near you.....

See y'all next week!!!!

Ooooohhh!! YAY!!

Can't wait for another TR from you - love them!! Have a blast with the DISmoms!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

and there you go with one last elbow to the gut to the rest of us that didnt win a ticket in a poker game to sail on the Titanic.. err Dream

I think we should all tune in on Sunday and watch the sail away - Kara will be jumping up and down and waving wildly so we can see her in the crowd - oh wait! That will be about 3500 uber excited sailors.

Anyway, we should all meet up online and watch the sailaway together, and cry - I mean be really happy for them!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

BON VOYAGE!!!