3 Families doin' a Surf & Turf Trip! AKL CL & Dream...Good-Byes

[rustytss]

So that is what Cabana's looked like in the morning? My family preferred Enchanted Garden for breakfast, but I know an 8:15 opening wasn't early enough for you We did get Ma Hopie and Pop down there once! If I knew how to post a picture I would, but oh well...

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Just out of curiousity... how early was it that you had Cabana's to yourselves??? Love all the details and how sweet were the servers with the napkin art.

Sorry the weather doesn't seem to be entirely cooperating for your Castaway Cay day but I am confident you were able to have fun regardless!

Oh and fingers crossed you can "sneak in" a weekend WDW trip with your other plans this coming year. Think you guys will LOVE the villa and Epcot resort location the following summer!!

 

[amandaw]

I love the decor in Cabanas! It's so fun! I still can't believe we never ate there last year. We'll definitely visit it on the Fantasy!!

You worked hard Amanda

Thank you!!

Good for you, Amanda!!! 5 days to go!!!! I know yall are excited about the upcoming trip. Look forward to seeing all the pics. Enjoy your trip

Thank you!! I'm so excited & ready to go! Well I'm ready except for the fact that I haven't started packing.

 

[pas130]

Stephen is in 6th grade now, too. And yep...LOTS of work. Thanks goodness he's at my school so I can keep an eye on him This year we are super busy with after school activities. Bill and I just had a conversation about all that's going on. Something must go!! Our calendar in the kitchen literally had 2 days this month that were blank...nothing going on. .

2 days.....yeah sounds about the same here....I miss Summer

The empty dining room would totally turn me into an early riser...

 

[jennyjinx3]

Still following along Heather! And loving it all!

 

[DisneyDoc5]

exactly how early were you in Cabanas, not another soul there! Can't wait for Castaway pics!

 

[Lisa29]

The Dream looks amazing and that food looked yummy.

 

[hstrickland]

We decorated our door, too !! We had so much fun with it. We also had an amazing fish extender group and that was really fun. My daughter would get so excited when people would leave gifts. Looking forward to reading about your Castaway Cay day !!

We didn't do FEs but kinda wish we had. I saw several doors with items hanging from the fish. If there wasn't so much going on this past summer, I would have joined the group...maybe next time.

Hopefully the CC post will be up this weekend...maybe Sunday

So that is what Cabana's looked like in the morning? My family preferred Enchanted Garden for breakfast, but I know an 8:15 opening wasn't early enough for you We did get Ma Hopie and Pop down there once! If I knew how to post a picture I would, but oh well...

The early bird catches the worm....

And you're much more computer literate than me....LEARN to post pics!

Just out of curiousity... how early was it that you had Cabana's to yourselves??? Love all the details and how sweet were the servers with the napkin art.

Sorry the weather doesn't seem to be entirely cooperating for your Castaway Cay day but I am confident you were able to have fun regardless!

Oh and fingers crossed you can "sneak in" a weekend WDW trip with your other plans this coming year. Think you guys will LOVE the villa and Epcot resort location the following summer!!

I'm thinking we were there at 7:30ish...actually not too difficult since we just threw on bathing suits and went

After Christmas, I'm going to start planning the 2014 trip for sure. Of course I keep second guessing myself about EP resort...thinking I'm going to miss the monorail... so silly, I know.

I love the decor in Cabanas! It's so fun! I still can't believe we never ate there last year. We'll definitely visit it on the Fantasy!!

Thank you!! I'm so excited & ready to go! Well I'm ready except for the fact that I haven't started packing.

Hope all is going well on your trip!!! Can't wait to hear about it when you return!!

2 days.....yeah sounds about the same here....I miss Summer

The empty dining room would totally turn me into an early riser...

Summer???!!! Where are you??!!!

Still following along Heather! And loving it all!

Your signature looks like mine I thought you had a trip planned???

exactly how early were you in Cabanas, not another soul there! Can't wait for Castaway pics!

.....around 7:30ish, I think...maybe a little before. We wanted to be down stairs on Deck 2(can't remember exactly which deck) when the doors were opened for CC at 8:30. We had to grab that great spot you told us about

The Dream looks amazing and that food looked yummy.

Dream, AWESOME!!!...Food, great (most of the time)

 

[emma212010]

Cabanas looks delicious! I love a lot of choice at breakfast!

Those hats are adorable!! CMs are the best!!

 

[pas130]

The early bird catches the worm....

And you're much more computer literate than me....LEARN to post pics!

Sisterly love

 

[jennyjinx3]

We were at the Poly from Sept 12 - 21...sigh and are back home again!! Next up is Dec 2013 WDW and 4 night dream!

Just trying to decide where to stay (AoA family suite, 2 rooms LM, or rent points for BLT) Only thing is the girls do not want to share beds anymore, and DH and I would like our own room! At the Poly my older two shared a bed and it wasn't great.

May 2013 is in the running for a quick weekend trip for SWW for DH and I! I have to work on him for that!

 

[Yellowbellow]

exactly how early were you in Cabanas, not another soul there! Can't wait for Castaway pics!

7:00 AM is when they took the 'covers off 'the food. Litterally took the covers off. The Buffet was covered if I remember correctly - no actually it was covers over the plates. check out your photos Heather. Remember my camera died that morning after I took a photo of the Cabanas sign with the sea gull.

 

[hstrickland]

We were at the Poly from Sept 12 - 21...sigh and are back home again!! Next up is Dec 2013 WDW and 4 night dream!

Just trying to decide where to stay (AoA family suite, 2 rooms LM, or rent points for BLT) Only thing is the girls do not want to share beds anymore, and DH and I would like our own room! At the Poly my older two shared a bed and it wasn't great.

May 2013 is in the running for a quick weekend trip for SWW for DH and I! I have to work on him for that!

That's right...you had a Poly trip. Hope that went well for yall. I LOVE the atmosphere there. I totally get needing more room. We're lucky that my parents usually go with us, so we have an extra bed. Otherwise, we're cramped into 1 room with 5 people. Now that the kids are getting older and bigger, one deluxe room probably won't cut it. Renting points would be ideal for yall OR the suites at AoA. Erin (DisneyDoc) will be trying out that resort in a couple of weeks before their cruise. Maybe she can give us a mini-review I kinda want to try it, too....just scared I'll miss the deluxe amenities

 

[Sweetpeamd]

I'm still here! Back to school has been a BIG adjustment this year! I'm finally coming up for air.

I have been loving your cruise review! I can't wait to see about your time at Castaway. Your photos are beautiful, as always.

I think that AoA looks really great. I was surprised and disappointed to hear that the bed (or is it 2 beds) in the main bedroom are doubles instead of queens. My husband is tall and just can't sleep in a double bed, certainly not for a Disney vacation. We live pretty far away so we tend to stay a while. Also, there is no vacation like a Disney vacation where you need good rest!!!

We are actually going to try a night at VWL at the beginning of our vacation later this month. We have wanted to stay there for a long time so we're super excited to try it. We'll be off to BLT (LOVE IT!!!) for the rest of the trip.

 

[hstrickland]

I'm still here! Back to school has been a BIG adjustment this year! I'm finally coming up for air.

I soooooo know what you mean!! I haven't been able to make a post in almost 2 weeks Crazy around here.

I have been loving your cruise review! I can't wait to see about your time at Castaway. Your photos are beautiful, as always.

Believe it or not I'm finishing up the CC post. I had a hard time deciding on which pics to post....we had so many It will be 2 posts worth.

I think that AoA looks really great. I was surprised and disappointed to hear that the bed (or is it 2 beds) in the main bedroom are doubles instead of queens. My husband is tall and just can't sleep in a double bed, certainly not for a Disney vacation. We live pretty far away so we tend to stay a while. Also, there is no vacation like a Disney vacation where you need good rest!!!

Ok....that might be a deal breaker for us...double beds Bill is tall, too. Guess I could take a bed and he take the other We ran into that problem with the cabins at FW. We made a joke about the next time we stay there (because we did love it) one would sleep in in the den, and the other would sleep in the bedroom.

We are actually going to try a night at VWL at the beginning of our vacation later this month. We have wanted to stay there for a long time so we're super excited to try it. We'll be off to BLT (LOVE IT!!!) for the rest of the trip.

WOW....2 weeks!!! Get some pics of VWL! Are you doing a 1 or 2 bedroom?We love that resort, but we don't fit in a regular room. Our friends are DVC people, too (BLT), and stayed a couple of nights at VWL. They liked it, but still prefer the Contemporary.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Hi Everyone, Yes, I will give a mini-review of the Lion King Suites in a few weeks. We are staying there the night before our 7 night Fantasy Eastern. We have a family of 5 plus my mom will be with us, so we will be using all the beds. DH and I in the master, DD and Grandma together and the 2 DS's together. It's nice to know we will have 2 bathrooms. We are curious to see if we will like the vibe there and if we could tolerate it for a longer WDW stay. I do like the idea of us have a private master bedroom and bath, but I am not sure about staying off monorail or EPCOT resort area - kinda spoiled with deluxes for our longer trips. We love POR for our shorter trips and so I think we will be fine without the convenience of the deluxes, but I will let you know! On the AoA thread, lots of positive reviews so far!

 

[hstrickland]

Hi Everyone, Yes, I will give a mini-review of the Lion King Suites in a few weeks. We are staying there the night before our 7 night Fantasy Eastern. We have a family of 5 plus my mom will be with us, so we will be using all the beds. DH and I in the master, DD and Grandma together and the 2 DS's together. It's nice to know we will have 2 bathrooms. We are curious to see if we will like the vibe there and if we could tolerate it for a longer WDW stay. I do like the idea of us have a private master bedroom and bath, but I am not sure about staying off monorail or EPCOT resort area - kinda spoiled with deluxes for our longer trips. We love POR for our shorter trips and so I think we will be fine without the convenience of the deluxes, but I will let you know! On the AoA thread, lots of positive reviews so far!

Just a guess....I think you'll like AoA, but not for a long strech. You're a deluxe snob at heart....just a thought.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Just a guess....I think you'll like AoA, but not for a long strech. You're a deluxe snob at heart....just a thought.

takes one to know one

 

[hstrickland]

Day 6
Castaway Cay


As dreary as the weather looks, we didnt let it impede our fun!


(taken from our balcony)

Were off for the day to Castaway Cay!

We waited for about 15-20 minutes before we were allowed to get off the ship&.not sure what the hold-up was.

Its a short walk to the tram. If youre feeling adventurous, you can always walk&.but be warned&its a hike.


We had some great advice (thanks DisneyDoc!)&.travel over to the farthest beach and grab some lounge chairs. They fill up quickly; especially the ones up close to the water.


After we found some lifejackets, the kids wanted to take the plunge!

Warning for smaller children&you have to swim out to the waterslide, and its further than it looks. Bill had to help ours along. By the time they reached Pelican Plunge, they were a bit tired. BUT&.they still enjoyed it.

Stephen said the open slide really wasnt that fast&.the enclosed tube was better.

Even Bill decided to take the plunge&.

The little ones did the slide a few more times, but then they were exhausted and decided to hit the beach.



Castaway Rays Stingray Adventure

Pop, MaHopie and Stephen booked the Stingray Adventure at Castaway Cay.


(info from DisBoards)
An interactive experience that immerses guests into the fascinating underwater world of stingrays. In partnership with the Living Seas at Epcot, a stingray sanctuary has been developed adjacent to the Teen Beach. This 60-minute excursion includes an educational orientation featuring facts and tidbits about stingrays, hands-on interaction, and free-time to snorkel in the stingray lagoon.

No one under the age of 5 is permitted. Children 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

*Adult Price: $35.00 (ages 10 and above)
*Child Price: $29.00 (5 - 9)

Stephen wasnt really sure about touching the stingrays. I think he was a bit scared of them. Apparently they swim around you constantly.

Because the water was somewhat cloudy due to the weather, the visibility wasnt good.

If the weather had cooperated, the overall experience with the rays would have been better. Still interesting, though.



While the others were swimming and playing in the sand, I grabbed the camera and ran off by myself to see what I could find

If you are remotely interested in photography, Castaway Cay is a photographers dream! Tons of scenic spots to capture those awesome pics.

And how many shots of this particular object have we seen??!! Its like the symbol for Castaway Cay!

continued to next post....too many pics





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[hstrickland]

Continued from previous post…..



Great paths for bike riding (which we didn’t do)…..notice there aren’t many people. It pays to be early

Just a bit of scenery….as you can see, the entire island is perfectly themed. Once again, Disney did a fabulous job.

This sign kinda of made me laugh….if you have the slightest fear of the ocean….DON’T read it.

Notice the name of the shop……very creative.

Just in case you’re interested in the rentals….

Rental prices are as follows:
•Snorkeling Equipment -- $25 for adults, $10 for children for the entire day
•Float Rentals -- $6 for the entire day
•Bicycle Rentals -- $6 per hour
•Castaway Cay Getaway Package - includes snorkeling and floats for the whole day and a 1-hour bike rental, $30 for adults, $15 per child
•2 Person paddle boats $8, 30 minutes
•4 Person paddle boats $10, 30 minutes
•Hobie kats $18, 30 minutes
•Aqua fins $15, 30 minutes
•Sea cycle water bikes $15, 30 minutes
•1 Person sea kayaks $8, 30 minutes
•2 Person sea kayaks $10, 30 minutes
•Strollers, complimentary on a first come basis
•Sand wheelchairs complimentary on a first come basis


We rented floats, tubes and snorkeling equipment. No need to rent equipment for each person…..we all shared.




When I returned from my adventures, the hubby was ready to hit the water!

Notice the people….it got crowded around 10ish. And maybe crowded is the wrong word…I never felt like it was too many people.

Jesse decided to get in on the snorkeling action….just remember to be in the “snorkeling area” or you will get called out…

If you’re hungry, don’t worry….there is plenty of food to be found!

I wasn’t really sure if the food would be good or not, but guess what? It was!!

My immediate family had to head back after lunch. Bill and I had a spa reservation!!!

While on the tram, I kept snapping pics!

This is the entry for the boats and parasailing (I think)

The others stayed for a little while longer, then returned. Not exactly sure what Sean is doing or what message he is trying to convey????

Up next ….a relaxing afternoon on the Dream, minus the kids!




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