I LOVE Comedians with Guitars......You didn't tell me that part...
- Thread starter jenseib
- Start date
jenseib
Mommy to Claire
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2006
I know. I sure hope the caught the idiots!!
Looks like a lovely hotel. And there you go with those food photos again. Don't you know I get hungry this time of day?
I am hungry too. How was the big b-day party?
I am loving all your picture's and can't wait to read more. How much trouble can you all get into
Hey girl! I am a good girl. Though we had fun, we weren't wild. Geeky fun!
BEARCATS07
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- May 16, 2012
What a long day! Love your pictures with the black frame, makes them really stand out!
mom2rtk
Invented the term "Characterpalooza"
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2008
Much better than last year ......not that that's a high bar to clear....... Although Katie did say she had to break up an indoor game of volleyball around 2:30 AM...... Oh well, I guess if it doesn't wake me, it doesn't happen.......
PracPerfPatricia
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2006
Hi 
Subbing on...
I haven't cruised before and am really curious about the experience so I can't wait to read about your adventures.
Subbing on...I haven't cruised before and am really curious about the experience so I can't wait to read about your adventures.
jenseib
Mommy to Claire
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2006
Thanks...and thats whay I do it. It can make some of the cruddiest pictures look nicer.
Much better than last year ......not that that's a high bar to clear....... Although Katie did say she had to break up an indoor game of volleyball around 2:30 AM...... Oh well, I guess if it doesn't wake me, it doesn't happen.......
Thats good. I know Paige had one...once and I said never again. They were up all night and needed me constantly. it was awful. Some were crying from ghost stories, some were hyper, and it was the longest night ever.
Hi
I haven't cruised before and am really curious about the experience so I can't wait to read about your adventures.
Hello! I am pretty sure I have read one or two of your reports in the past. Hopefully tomorrow I can get us to the port and that should be slightly more exciting than tires stolen off a car.
For such a shady area, the hotel looks awesome! Looks clean and new and modern
It was nice. I think they hold quite a few conventions there. Too bad the area isn't nicer. We actually missed the turn off for Brooks hotel and we turned around in this lot...that lets just say I was pretty sure we would see a garage door open and a chop shop going on!
jenseib
Mommy to Claire
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2006
Sept. 22, 2012, Saturday…Day 2
I woke up before the alarm, though not too much earlier.
I was full of excitement and a bit of nervousness. I will admit a little fear I had.
I was on the Dream in 2011. Boy is she a beautiful ship…and HUGE. I knew that the Magic was smaller. Just to show you the size difference, here are some pictures I borrowed from some friends.
The Magic is the “little” one. It looks like the Dream could eat the Magic for a snack. Would I be cramped? Would it seem more crowded on a smaller ship? Would I notice the smallness?
I am pretty sure the NCL cruises I went on many years ago were actually smaller ships, and I was fine on those, but after being on such a behemoth, would I be OK?
I showered and got ready. As you may have noticed, I don’t sport a traditional hair color. I had just “freshened” the color on Thursday, so this was my first wash since the new application of color. I am a licensed hairstylist, so I know how to rinse color out…basically do it forever till the water runs clear, shampoo repeat, shampoo repeat and condition. Well when I took the shower, I had more pink water coming out. Sometimes this will happen after the first wash, but this seemed like a lot coming out and towel drying my hair left the towel with some pink streaks….I have NEVER had that before. So odd. I wondered if this is how my hair reacts to good water versus the well water crap we have at home.
We got ready and rearranged our suitcases. I had packed a rolling duffle inside my suitcase. Well I had a heck of a time trying to get it all zipped back up with it in there, so we just pulled it out and threw a few things in it.
We jammed the trunk full and left the backseat for Brook and her bags.
We hit the road about 7 AM and were off to Springhill Suites to meet up with the other girls.
They were just getting breakfast and we joined them. It was a very simple breakfast with cereals, some fruit and make your own waffles, eggs, sausage and other basics.
Brook was tackling the make your own waffle. Lisa got some cereal.
And this is my plate. I think I got a bagel too.
Brook’s first waffle stuck to the waffle maker and she redid it…for one reason…we needed to take a picture of this baby.
Isn’t that so cute?
We talked about what “special” thing the Magic might have, like when she came to NYC she had a bumper sticker. My suggestion was a 10 gallon hat, though I wasn’t sure how that would work on a ship.
Around 8 or so, Brook noticed that people were posting on facebook that she had arrived finally. No one knew what time she would come into port and it was guessed from 4 to 7 AM. I guess she wanted to make a grand entrance in daylight and waited out at sea a bit to do so…and we later learned that is when they put on her “special” attire for Galveston.
After we ate, we made bathroom stops, and a couple of us bought a pop for the road trip and we loaded their car up with their bags. Brook shoved 1 in there and brought her other one into our car.
I had directions, but I wasn’t sure how good they were. Carolyn seemed to have a better idea of where to go, so she said to follow them. Shelly was the driver…and the funny thing is, Shelly is a nervous driver in areas she is not familiar with, so she was really worried…but she did a perfect job.
We hit the road and followed them all the way down. The 3 of us chatted away. It was just like Brook and Lisa had known each other for years. I am lucky to have both of them as friends. Both are nice and friendly and probably can talk to a wall if they needed to.
As we got closer to Galveston (the ride was probably about an hour, but went by VERY fast), we noticed some beautiful houses, and some really neat houses built on stilts. Being the driver, I couldn’t dig around for a camera and take shots. I wish I would’ve had it out though and then Lisa could’ve taken some.
Lisa kept saying, look at that one, or this one. And then we started driving through town with some old amazing looking homes and buildings and she was pointing constantly. I had to tell her I couldn’t look or I might be in the bumper of Shelly’s car. LOL
It was beautiful though. As we got closer to the port we started zigzagging around as many streets were shut down for some sort of festival…I later read it was a shrimp festival… I just kept following and Shelly later told us that some of the roads we went down were one ways…and we went the wrong way. I never even noticed.
Finally we found the entrance and pulled right up and dropped our bags off. We had arrived around 9 AM. Several porters were waiting to start the day. We said good bye to our bags for a while and pulled forward to find the parking lot…..then we saw her…the Magic. Yep, she was hidden behind the terminal. So EXCITING!
And guess what she had on! A 10 gallon hat! It was placed on one of the Mickey heads on one of the stacks. Now I couldn’t take a picture yet. I was driving still.
Next we headed off to find the parking lot. It is quite a ways away and I was hoping we weren’t getting lost. I didn’t think it was marked very well on how to get there, BUT then we realized that a stupid news van was right in front of the sign showing us the way. Not a great spot to park buddy!
We found the lot and asked where to go to get the free parking ticket we needed and they directed us to the lot across the street. We pulled over there and a couple gals ran inside while the rest of us talked outside and oohed and ahhed at this!
I have to say she still looked pretty darn big to me. I felt a bit of relief.
When the gals came back we headed back across the street and got parking right up front. The shuttle pulled right up and we hopped on. I took a quick picture of our rental so I could remember it and the license plate too if need be.
And off we went. I took this shot of the Mickey hat as we drove over.
We were dropped off and there were several people already waiting. Many of them were people from our facebook group and we said some hellos. We were told that they would not be opening doors till at least 10:30 but if we needed to use the restroom we would be let in.
A couple of us went in.
I do think these bathrooms were nicer than the Port Canaveral bathrooms. I still think those are not very disneylike.
I shot this really fast as we walked back out.
And then we sat down and waited.
That’s Lisa and Brook sitting and Carolyn standing with the pony tail and Susan with the short hair.
I think Shelly took these pictures of us.
Brook must’ve been dreaming of corndog nuggets there.
I went around the side of the building and got a few pictures of my new home.
And some of the terminal area.
Here is what the shuttles look like.
Someone must’ve been eating on the go and left their bowl on top of this sign.
I think about 10:15 people started lining up. We had been told that the doors should open around 10:30.
By now it was getting pretty hot outside too, so we were anxious to get in and cool off.
Finally they started letting in a few people at a time and then more a little later.
We made our way through security, which was very easy and went to the check in counter line for silver and gold members. I was now officially a silver member and Lisa got to come in that line since she was in my room.
Our girl was VERY slow. I know this was all new to them with Disney being there, so I was patient. I did have to ask for a silver lanyard though. I think she was leery about giving me one, but then looked it up and found that I did indeed get one. It’s not a huge perk…but darn it, I wanted it!
We got done and found the other girls sitting down near glass doors that you could see the stairway that went up towards the ship. This is NOT where you enter though. You actually go in on the complete opposite side of the terminal and then down a long hallway and then back to those stairs to swipe your card and go up.
I woke up before the alarm, though not too much earlier.
I was full of excitement and a bit of nervousness. I will admit a little fear I had.
I was on the Dream in 2011. Boy is she a beautiful ship…and HUGE. I knew that the Magic was smaller. Just to show you the size difference, here are some pictures I borrowed from some friends.
The Magic is the “little” one. It looks like the Dream could eat the Magic for a snack. Would I be cramped? Would it seem more crowded on a smaller ship? Would I notice the smallness?
I am pretty sure the NCL cruises I went on many years ago were actually smaller ships, and I was fine on those, but after being on such a behemoth, would I be OK?
I showered and got ready. As you may have noticed, I don’t sport a traditional hair color. I had just “freshened” the color on Thursday, so this was my first wash since the new application of color. I am a licensed hairstylist, so I know how to rinse color out…basically do it forever till the water runs clear, shampoo repeat, shampoo repeat and condition. Well when I took the shower, I had more pink water coming out. Sometimes this will happen after the first wash, but this seemed like a lot coming out and towel drying my hair left the towel with some pink streaks….I have NEVER had that before. So odd. I wondered if this is how my hair reacts to good water versus the well water crap we have at home.
We got ready and rearranged our suitcases. I had packed a rolling duffle inside my suitcase. Well I had a heck of a time trying to get it all zipped back up with it in there, so we just pulled it out and threw a few things in it.
We jammed the trunk full and left the backseat for Brook and her bags.
We hit the road about 7 AM and were off to Springhill Suites to meet up with the other girls.
They were just getting breakfast and we joined them. It was a very simple breakfast with cereals, some fruit and make your own waffles, eggs, sausage and other basics.
Brook was tackling the make your own waffle. Lisa got some cereal.
And this is my plate. I think I got a bagel too.
Brook’s first waffle stuck to the waffle maker and she redid it…for one reason…we needed to take a picture of this baby.
Isn’t that so cute?
We talked about what “special” thing the Magic might have, like when she came to NYC she had a bumper sticker. My suggestion was a 10 gallon hat, though I wasn’t sure how that would work on a ship.
Around 8 or so, Brook noticed that people were posting on facebook that she had arrived finally. No one knew what time she would come into port and it was guessed from 4 to 7 AM. I guess she wanted to make a grand entrance in daylight and waited out at sea a bit to do so…and we later learned that is when they put on her “special” attire for Galveston.
After we ate, we made bathroom stops, and a couple of us bought a pop for the road trip and we loaded their car up with their bags. Brook shoved 1 in there and brought her other one into our car.
I had directions, but I wasn’t sure how good they were. Carolyn seemed to have a better idea of where to go, so she said to follow them. Shelly was the driver…and the funny thing is, Shelly is a nervous driver in areas she is not familiar with, so she was really worried…but she did a perfect job.
We hit the road and followed them all the way down. The 3 of us chatted away. It was just like Brook and Lisa had known each other for years. I am lucky to have both of them as friends. Both are nice and friendly and probably can talk to a wall if they needed to.
As we got closer to Galveston (the ride was probably about an hour, but went by VERY fast), we noticed some beautiful houses, and some really neat houses built on stilts. Being the driver, I couldn’t dig around for a camera and take shots. I wish I would’ve had it out though and then Lisa could’ve taken some.
Lisa kept saying, look at that one, or this one. And then we started driving through town with some old amazing looking homes and buildings and she was pointing constantly. I had to tell her I couldn’t look or I might be in the bumper of Shelly’s car. LOL
It was beautiful though. As we got closer to the port we started zigzagging around as many streets were shut down for some sort of festival…I later read it was a shrimp festival… I just kept following and Shelly later told us that some of the roads we went down were one ways…and we went the wrong way. I never even noticed.
Finally we found the entrance and pulled right up and dropped our bags off. We had arrived around 9 AM. Several porters were waiting to start the day. We said good bye to our bags for a while and pulled forward to find the parking lot…..then we saw her…the Magic. Yep, she was hidden behind the terminal. So EXCITING!
And guess what she had on! A 10 gallon hat! It was placed on one of the Mickey heads on one of the stacks. Now I couldn’t take a picture yet. I was driving still.
Next we headed off to find the parking lot. It is quite a ways away and I was hoping we weren’t getting lost. I didn’t think it was marked very well on how to get there, BUT then we realized that a stupid news van was right in front of the sign showing us the way. Not a great spot to park buddy!
We found the lot and asked where to go to get the free parking ticket we needed and they directed us to the lot across the street. We pulled over there and a couple gals ran inside while the rest of us talked outside and oohed and ahhed at this!
I have to say she still looked pretty darn big to me. I felt a bit of relief.
When the gals came back we headed back across the street and got parking right up front. The shuttle pulled right up and we hopped on. I took a quick picture of our rental so I could remember it and the license plate too if need be.
And off we went. I took this shot of the Mickey hat as we drove over.
We were dropped off and there were several people already waiting. Many of them were people from our facebook group and we said some hellos. We were told that they would not be opening doors till at least 10:30 but if we needed to use the restroom we would be let in.
A couple of us went in.
I do think these bathrooms were nicer than the Port Canaveral bathrooms. I still think those are not very disneylike.
I shot this really fast as we walked back out.
And then we sat down and waited.
That’s Lisa and Brook sitting and Carolyn standing with the pony tail and Susan with the short hair.
I think Shelly took these pictures of us.
Brook must’ve been dreaming of corndog nuggets there.
I went around the side of the building and got a few pictures of my new home.
And some of the terminal area.
Here is what the shuttles look like.
Someone must’ve been eating on the go and left their bowl on top of this sign.
I think about 10:15 people started lining up. We had been told that the doors should open around 10:30.
By now it was getting pretty hot outside too, so we were anxious to get in and cool off.
Finally they started letting in a few people at a time and then more a little later.
We made our way through security, which was very easy and went to the check in counter line for silver and gold members. I was now officially a silver member and Lisa got to come in that line since she was in my room.
Our girl was VERY slow. I know this was all new to them with Disney being there, so I was patient. I did have to ask for a silver lanyard though. I think she was leery about giving me one, but then looked it up and found that I did indeed get one. It’s not a huge perk…but darn it, I wanted it!
We got done and found the other girls sitting down near glass doors that you could see the stairway that went up towards the ship. This is NOT where you enter though. You actually go in on the complete opposite side of the terminal and then down a long hallway and then back to those stairs to swipe your card and go up.
mickeystoontown
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2006
Goodness Jen, you have been updating like crazy and I was behind. I don't even remember what all I wanted to comment on. I guess I'll just start around the time you arrived in Houston. It's been quite some time since I've been in Houston...I'm talking about 20 years but have family who live there. Like all big cities, there are definitely areas that you don't want to get lost in or walk down the wrong street. It's amazing that somebody would have the gall to steal tires off a car when they knew there were cameras all around. Hopefully, they caught the culprit.
I had to laugh when you said that ya'll tried to order Pop or even Soda. Around these parts, we call just about every soft drink a Coke. Just gotta tell the waitress what flavor "Coke" you want.
It sounds like your group of women were a great group to travel with. It's always nice when everybody gets along the way you all did.
Yay for making it to the terminal without any real mishaps (which could have happened since you said ya'll took some one-way streets going the wrong way). The ship looks beautiful from the outside and I'm looking forward to seeing all the pictures you took of the interior.
I had to laugh when you said that ya'll tried to order Pop or even Soda. Around these parts, we call just about every soft drink a Coke. Just gotta tell the waitress what flavor "Coke" you want.
It sounds like your group of women were a great group to travel with. It's always nice when everybody gets along the way you all did.
Yay for making it to the terminal without any real mishaps (which could have happened since you said ya'll took some one-way streets going the wrong way). The ship looks beautiful from the outside and I'm looking forward to seeing all the pictures you took of the interior.
LuvEeyore
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2005
Great report!! I love my friends. Some I travel with and others I leave home!! It is nice to have a freind that when you see them again it is like you never left. That happened with my friend Anna, last night. I havent seen her in over 25 years. It was great.
It is nice to have a freind that when you see them again it is like you never left. That happened with my friend Anna, last night. I havent seen her in over 25 years. It was great.
jenseib
Mommy to Claire
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2006
They did a really nice job with the terminal. I was impressed.
Goodness Jen, you have been updating like crazy and I was behind. I don't even remember what all I wanted to comment on. I guess I'll just start around the time you arrived in Houston. It's been quite some time since I've been in Houston...I'm talking about 20 years but have family who live there. Like all big cities, there are definitely areas that you don't want to get lost in or walk down the wrong street. It's amazing that somebody would have the gall to steal tires off a car when they knew there were cameras all around. Hopefully, they caught the culprit.
I had to laugh when you said that ya'll tried to order Pop or even Soda. Around these parts, we call just about every soft drink a Coke. Just gotta tell the waitress what flavor "Coke" you want.
It sounds like your group of women were a great group to travel with. It's always nice when everybody gets along the way you all did.
Yay for making it to the terminal without any real mishaps (which could have happened since you said ya'll took some one-way streets going the wrong way). The ship looks beautiful from the outside and I'm looking forward to seeing all the pictures you took of the interior.
You crazy southerners.
So if you want a pepsi...do you say I'll have a pepsi? LOLWe were on a wild adventure and I didn't even know it. Luckily the roads had no traffic on them, but we might've gotten some dirty looks, I just didn't see them.
Great report!! I love my friends. Some I travel with and others I leave home!!
That is so wonderful. I have a friend that I went to grade school with. We remained best friends in highschool, even though we went to seperate ones and now she lives in California. I usually see her once a year, and we always pick right up too.
dolphingirl47
In Search of the Tag Fairy
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2007
It was so great to see all the photos of the Magic. I have to admit I am getting quite homesick for my favourite ship. Still, in just over a month I will get on her and a month from today we will be on our way to Texas.
Corinna
Corinna
jenseib
Mommy to Claire
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2006
She was a beautiful ship!
Nermel9
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2009
I love all of your pictures of the Magic! I loved seeing it side by side with the Dream, the Dream does look a lot bigger, but the Magic still looks pretty huge! I really, really need to do a Disney cruise soon, I think it would be so much fun! I can't wait to see the inside of the Magic! 
mom2rtk
Invented the term "Characterpalooza"
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2008
OK, I had completely missed the earlier update with the car up on blocks. 
Nothing like adding a little intrigue, huh?
I know exactly what you mean bout that chlorine smell. I used to have Holiday Inns as an account I called on in a prior job. Every time I walked into that place I wanted to go on vacation. Drove me nuts! It was worse there because the pools were always out in the middle.
I didn't realize how much bigger the Dream is than the Magic. I sure hope you weren't disappointed. If I had to bet though, I'd say probably not.
Nothing like adding a little intrigue, huh?I know exactly what you mean bout that chlorine smell. I used to have Holiday Inns as an account I called on in a prior job. Every time I walked into that place I wanted to go on vacation. Drove me nuts! It was worse there because the pools were always out in the middle.
I didn't realize how much bigger the Dream is than the Magic. I sure hope you weren't disappointed. If I had to bet though, I'd say probably not.
francis6306
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 18, 2010
Oh my I was so far behind and then I couldn't get logged in to sub
it's been a rough night for me on here!!!!!!
Now, why on earth would I ever wanna order a Pepsi?? Don't you know that Coke is the official drink of the south I just like my Coke as Dr. Pepper! I always giggle when someone asks me if I want a Pop
Pop?? That's what my kids call their grandpa!
That Marriott looks JUST like the one we stayed at in Louisville last year! I mean, identical!!! We did have the breakfast at the Louisville one and it was really good!
That car!!!! OH MY GOSH!!!
I can't wait to hear more about the ship!!!!!!!!!
Now, why on earth would I ever wanna order a Pepsi?? Don't you know that Coke is the official drink of the south I just like my Coke as Dr. Pepper!
I always giggle when someone asks me if I want a Pop
Pop?? That's what my kids call their grandpa!That Marriott looks JUST like the one we stayed at in Louisville last year! I mean, identical!!! We did have the breakfast at the Louisville one and it was really good!
That car!!!! OH MY GOSH!!!
I can't wait to hear more about the ship!!!!!!!!!
TinksMomma
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2012
LOVING your report! We are cruising in just 3 weeks on the Magic and like you hubby has only been on the Fantasy so I'm worried about him being on a smaller ship. Can't wait to read more!
Oh and I LOVE your hair!!!
Oh and I LOVE your hair!!!
Kathy Jetson
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2009
I was all the back on page 2. I had a lotta reading to do
It looks like you had a great start to your trip and nothing went wrong.
Look at you two hot mamas getting hit on at the hotel!
I know you said the area was not nice but the hotel looked very nice. But that car
That video was amazing I had no idea a ship could turn around like that! I guess I never thought about it before.
You had me laughing out loud when you said Brook kept having plate after plate brought out and that she did damage. I just pictured the waitstaff running around yelling "bring more food" and again when you said she was dreaming of corn dog nuggets!
I think it was on the Disney Parks blog that they showed pics of the hat and the ship on its first day there and I was scouring all the pics trying to see if you were in one of them!
I can't wait to see what happens next
It looks like you had a great start to your trip and nothing went wrong.
Look at you two hot mamas getting hit on at the hotel!
I know you said the area was not nice but the hotel looked very nice. But that car
That video was amazing I had no idea a ship could turn around like that! I guess I never thought about it before.
You had me laughing out loud when you said Brook kept having plate after plate brought out and that she did damage. I just pictured the waitstaff running around yelling "bring more food"
and again when you said she was dreaming of corn dog nuggets!I think it was on the Disney Parks blog that they showed pics of the hat and the ship on its first day there and I was scouring all the pics trying to see if you were in one of them!
I can't wait to see what happens next
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