PizzieDuster
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2003
Aw, I love the hidden mickey in the oranament! Great pic!
"Witty Western-Fantasy Trip Report Title"... January 5th-12th With Pictures
- Thread starter MrRay
- Start date
WanderlustNZ
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2012
The photos of the foyer are beautiful. What time did you take these to manage to get no people in the pics?
MrRay
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2009
I had good luck in the morning, most of these were probably around breakfast time. A lot of people go to Cabanas instead of the other restaurants. I was never able to stay up late enough to see when it gets empty at night.
MrRay
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2009
Great Trip reportYou have me interested in that mixology class. looks like fun!
I strongly recommend it, at $15 a person I don't think you can go wrong with 5 drinks.
Melissa&Shawn
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2006
Really enjoying your trip report!!! Fantastic pictures!
Nikki'sMommy
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2010
Great TR- love the pictures. We did the Eastern in Sept and are thinking about the western next sept... Love the details! Looking forward to more.
We had opted to do the "Shipwreck and Reef Snorkeling" excursion. It's relatively cheap by excursion standards, $39 per adult.
What a neat shot
MrRay
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2009
We woke about the same time we were docking I believe. I think we docked around 8 but from our side of the ship we could only see ocean so it's hard to say. Plenty of tour boats kept going by throughout the day though.
We had to meet in the Dlounge at 9:15 for our excursion, so we tried to hit up "Cabanas" for breakfast. It was already very crazy up there and breakfast was starting to get a little monotonous. We switched it up and went to "Enchanted Garden" for breakfast for the first time...Unfortunately it was the same food...we should have gone to "Royal Court".
We were doing the "Passion Island by Twister" excursion. Basically it's a high powered boat ride to a beautiful island for a 3 hour beach break and then a quick ride back. The island is where they film the Corona commercials where two people are sitting on a beautiful empty white sand beach with perfect water. We wanted to do this excursion because of the island. My brother had gone there last year and said it was beautiful so we wanted to check it out. This was the only tour that Disney offered that went there and was still relatively new to that list.
After checking in we were led off the ship and then it was a very short walk to our boat. It's on the same dock as the ship and not even half way down the pier. Very convenient.
The boat seats less than 25 people I think and the last row, where we were, was slightly raised from the rest of the boat. We quickly learned that this meant we were going to get more wet than everyone else.
The ride out was fast and exciting, the boat can get up to 55 m.p.h. and they go out of their way to hit every bump they can. They also play some loud music to get you pumped up.
It is very fun and exciting, but all the way in the back the wind is pretty brutal and the spray coming up hits you in the face and it stings. The ride was probably about 20 minutes long, if that, and we were pulling into the turquoise waters surrounding the island. Pictures really don't do this place much justice, and are really hard to get when you are getting knocked around at 50 m.p.h.
A shipwreck we passed...
Once near the island they started to do some maneuvers intended to get you soaked. It's fun, if you're prepared for it. We got completely drenched.
They tell you before hand that you WILL get wet. It is in no way an understatement. It is the equivalent of having buckets of water thrown at you.
Next...Passion Island
We had to meet in the Dlounge at 9:15 for our excursion, so we tried to hit up "Cabanas" for breakfast. It was already very crazy up there and breakfast was starting to get a little monotonous. We switched it up and went to "Enchanted Garden" for breakfast for the first time...Unfortunately it was the same food...we should have gone to "Royal Court".
We were doing the "Passion Island by Twister" excursion. Basically it's a high powered boat ride to a beautiful island for a 3 hour beach break and then a quick ride back. The island is where they film the Corona commercials where two people are sitting on a beautiful empty white sand beach with perfect water. We wanted to do this excursion because of the island. My brother had gone there last year and said it was beautiful so we wanted to check it out. This was the only tour that Disney offered that went there and was still relatively new to that list.
After checking in we were led off the ship and then it was a very short walk to our boat. It's on the same dock as the ship and not even half way down the pier. Very convenient.
The boat seats less than 25 people I think and the last row, where we were, was slightly raised from the rest of the boat. We quickly learned that this meant we were going to get more wet than everyone else.
The ride out was fast and exciting, the boat can get up to 55 m.p.h. and they go out of their way to hit every bump they can. They also play some loud music to get you pumped up.
It is very fun and exciting, but all the way in the back the wind is pretty brutal and the spray coming up hits you in the face and it stings. The ride was probably about 20 minutes long, if that, and we were pulling into the turquoise waters surrounding the island. Pictures really don't do this place much justice, and are really hard to get when you are getting knocked around at 50 m.p.h.
A shipwreck we passed...
Once near the island they started to do some maneuvers intended to get you soaked. It's fun, if you're prepared for it. We got completely drenched.
They tell you before hand that you WILL get wet. It is in no way an understatement. It is the equivalent of having buckets of water thrown at you.
Next...Passion Island
- Joined
- Aug 18, 1999
Loving your report 
Now, for the million dollar question.....
There is (non-heinz-crud) honey mustard dipping sauce now???????
Several years ago they got rid of the MUCH loved Ken's Honey Dijon on DCL and at the parks and replaced it with the grossest stuff made by Heinz
This is the first trip report I have seen with new honey mustard! From the looks of your plate, I am guessing it came from a large vat like the ketchup dispenser???
I am excited now
Now, for the million dollar question.....
There is (non-heinz-crud) honey mustard dipping sauce now???????
Several years ago they got rid of the MUCH loved Ken's Honey Dijon on DCL and at the parks and replaced it with the grossest stuff made by Heinz
This is the first trip report I have seen with new honey mustard! From the looks of your plate, I am guessing it came from a large vat like the ketchup dispenser???
I am excited now
MrRay
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2009
Timon said:Loving your report
Now, for the million dollar question.....
There is (non-heinz-crud) honey mustard dipping sauce now???????
Several years ago they got rid of the MUCH loved Ken's Honey Dijon on DCL and at the parks and replaced it with the grossest stuff made by Heinz
This is the first trip report I have seen with new honey mustard! From the looks of your plate, I am guessing it came from a large vat like the ketchup dispenser???
I am excited now
Hard to say because it did come from an unbranded salad dressing jug...but it tasted more like "Ken's" to me. It really reminded me of eating in the parks 15 years ago.
MrRay
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2009
I thought the Mixology class was an excellent value for money.
Other than thought I would say just take it slow and enjoy the little things. The art around the ship is amazing and I'm sure I didn't see it all. I think they might do a walking tour of the art of the ship but we didn't do it so I can't comment on it, I'd like to hit that next time.
Also I would suggest taking a few breakfasts and lunches a little slower and go to "Royal Court". It's a very friendly and calm environment and the food was good too.
MrRay
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2009
By now we are drenched, and a little beat up. The ride was kind of hard in the last row. We just wanted to relax.
The Island is lovely, there isn't much there outside of maybe 8 souvenir stands, who were all pretty pushy but easy to avoid,a small open air buffet and a couple bars. They told us that the day before there was about 800 tourists on the island. The day we were there the total was about 150, most of which was in another tour that was leaving a couple hours before us. So once they had left it was only our group, 16 people. It was like having a deserted island to yourself.
We were shown where the buffet was and the bars were, all were open to us and included. The food looked...not so good... we had some chips, guacamole, and salsa and that was about it. We didn't even feel like drinking.
We walked around for a while and dipped into the ocean briefly but the weather was not totally in our favor this day. There was patches of large clouds and A LOT of wind. We got pelted with sand most of the day. We wandered around some more...
Apologies for the photo quality, I only brought my underwater point and shoot that started to crap out pretty early on in the trip.
Ultimately we ended up pulling a couple of chairs far down the beach, away from all 14 other people, and just laid there for a few hours. It was pretty wonderful.
Before our trip we had ordered something that we had first heard about on the boards... It's called a Kyss bag. We used it a few times on the cruise and left us feeling a lot more comfortable when we walked away from our stuff.
Some Local Wildlife...
Before long it was time to head back. We opted for the front row of the boat this time. It was much better than the ride out. We had a good time. We traded with a few kids who had the time of their lives back there. It's worth noting that the 4 of us who sat in the last row on the way out were all sitting in the front row on the way back.
They dropped us off at the pier and it was time to grab some real food as we were starving.
It's hard to say whether I would recommend this excursion. You definitely have to be willing to put up with a very rocky boat ride. For what it's worth the ride definitely affected us for the first hour or so we were on the island. The front row of the boat was a lot better if you're worried.
The island and surrounding water is absolutely beautiful no question about it. The food....pretty bad.
If you get a good hot day there is plenty to do in the water, bouncy things and what not.
Also it's a little weird because a lot of different people are expecting tips. It's not a quick "Tip your guide if they did a good job". The boat guys want a tip, the person in charge of the island wants a tip, the bartenders, the bathroom guy, and there was even a tip box next to the buffet.
Next... PIRATES
The Island is lovely, there isn't much there outside of maybe 8 souvenir stands, who were all pretty pushy but easy to avoid,a small open air buffet and a couple bars. They told us that the day before there was about 800 tourists on the island. The day we were there the total was about 150, most of which was in another tour that was leaving a couple hours before us. So once they had left it was only our group, 16 people. It was like having a deserted island to yourself.
We were shown where the buffet was and the bars were, all were open to us and included. The food looked...not so good... we had some chips, guacamole, and salsa and that was about it. We didn't even feel like drinking.
We walked around for a while and dipped into the ocean briefly but the weather was not totally in our favor this day. There was patches of large clouds and A LOT of wind. We got pelted with sand most of the day. We wandered around some more...
Apologies for the photo quality, I only brought my underwater point and shoot that started to crap out pretty early on in the trip.
Ultimately we ended up pulling a couple of chairs far down the beach, away from all 14 other people, and just laid there for a few hours. It was pretty wonderful.
Before our trip we had ordered something that we had first heard about on the boards... It's called a Kyss bag. We used it a few times on the cruise and left us feeling a lot more comfortable when we walked away from our stuff.
Some Local Wildlife...
Before long it was time to head back. We opted for the front row of the boat this time. It was much better than the ride out. We had a good time. We traded with a few kids who had the time of their lives back there. It's worth noting that the 4 of us who sat in the last row on the way out were all sitting in the front row on the way back.
They dropped us off at the pier and it was time to grab some real food as we were starving.
It's hard to say whether I would recommend this excursion. You definitely have to be willing to put up with a very rocky boat ride. For what it's worth the ride definitely affected us for the first hour or so we were on the island. The front row of the boat was a lot better if you're worried.
The island and surrounding water is absolutely beautiful no question about it. The food....pretty bad.
If you get a good hot day there is plenty to do in the water, bouncy things and what not.
Also it's a little weird because a lot of different people are expecting tips. It's not a quick "Tip your guide if they did a good job". The boat guys want a tip, the person in charge of the island wants a tip, the bartenders, the bathroom guy, and there was even a tip box next to the buffet.
Next... PIRATES
Disneydrmr
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2011
Thanks for sharing your trip experience....going on this cruise in May. You look like you had an amazing time!!
MrRay
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2009
After our tour dropped us off it was close to 2:30 and after having a very small breakfast and not much for lunch we were starving. "Cabanas" closes between 2 and 2:15 usually. This seemed like a perfect day for room service on the verandah.
We were so hungry we basically ordered 1 of everything.
Not Pictured... a fruit bowl and the "All Hands on Deck" cheese platter. The food came very quickly. Jenna was in the shower and the guy delivering the food seemed very surprised to be dropping so much food off to a room with just me in it. There was even 3 sets of utensils... oh well.
Just a quick bit of food snobbery here, the "Buffalo Wings" are really more like sweet BBQ wings. They are good but misleading.
We caught some of "Believe" on the theatre show channel on the TV. It was clearly taped last year some time as they break the fourth wall and mention "Captain Tom". Once again this show just wasn't for me.
Refueled and showered, we headed off for some coffee and to see what was happening around the ship.
Peter Pan was out and so were Captain Hook and Smee, off camera to the left. Peter was in rare form all day and kept picking on the Pirates while they were taking pictures. At one point Captain Hook tried to chase Pan away and tripped over a Rope and Stanchion set up.
We found ourselves several times throughout the cruise camped out on deck 4 watching all the action in the atrium. There are character meetings all the time and it's fun to watch.
It's fun seeing all the crew dressed as pirates. We had actually considered doing a casual dinner at Cabanas this night but we couldn't pass up the chance to see our serving team dressed as pirates. The night before our head server had come over to our table and said, incredibly dryly, and in his own heavily accented english, "tomorrow at dinner don't be scare I might be dressed as eh....eh Pirate". How do you pass that up seriously.
The pool deck all closed up for the night's festivities.
We donned our bandanas, which honestly I never thought I would wear but it's hard to not get in the spirit, and headed down to the Bon Voyage Bar for pre-dinner drinks. I strongly recommend this on pirate night, easily the best day to people watch.
Peter Pan was back in action, although not even posing for pictures, he was as far as I could tell just harassing Captain Hook again. The photographers on the ground would just look up at him and shake their heads, it was pretty entertaining.
Seriously get a Mojito from Andre at the Bon Voyage Bar
Dinner was in "Enchanted Garden". It was good. Really can't remember too much about it. I remember Potstickers that weren't too good and crabcakes, which were surprisingly tasty.
I think we all got the same desert...
Most people didn't like the Raspberry sauce in the cake but I didn't mind it.
Also around this time the boat had more movement than we had felt the entire cruise. Our servers said that lately the trips from Cozumel to Castaway Cay had been rocky. It didn't bother us but it was the first time the whole cruise when you could really noticeably feel the boat moving around.
It was hard to pass up a chance to get our picture taken with Pirate Mickey...
Then we went upstairs to watch the Pirate show.
The wind was really bad this night so Jack didn't do his aerial work, and they had to hold the show for a few minutes while the slowed the ship and turned it so that the fireworks would be able to go off safely.
I really did not like this show, a trend with me and the stage shows. As far as I could tell there was a bunch of pirates fighting for some reason in front of some pretty cheap looking backdrops. It just seemed to me that the whole thing could have been much simpler, I mean we're already on a ship, why try and make it look like some Pirate Tavern, but I digress.
I will say that the fireworks are really good, and when you consider you are on a boat in the middle of the Caribbean, they are phenomenal. Kudos to Disney for that, and totally worth the trip up to deck.
A dance party followed. People seemed to enjoy themselves but we were beat. A quick trip through the Pirate's Buffet just to check it out and we were off to bed.
We were so hungry we basically ordered 1 of everything.
Not Pictured... a fruit bowl and the "All Hands on Deck" cheese platter. The food came very quickly. Jenna was in the shower and the guy delivering the food seemed very surprised to be dropping so much food off to a room with just me in it. There was even 3 sets of utensils... oh well.
Just a quick bit of food snobbery here, the "Buffalo Wings" are really more like sweet BBQ wings. They are good but misleading.
We caught some of "Believe" on the theatre show channel on the TV. It was clearly taped last year some time as they break the fourth wall and mention "Captain Tom". Once again this show just wasn't for me.
Refueled and showered, we headed off for some coffee and to see what was happening around the ship.
Peter Pan was out and so were Captain Hook and Smee, off camera to the left. Peter was in rare form all day and kept picking on the Pirates while they were taking pictures. At one point Captain Hook tried to chase Pan away and tripped over a Rope and Stanchion set up.
We found ourselves several times throughout the cruise camped out on deck 4 watching all the action in the atrium. There are character meetings all the time and it's fun to watch.
It's fun seeing all the crew dressed as pirates. We had actually considered doing a casual dinner at Cabanas this night but we couldn't pass up the chance to see our serving team dressed as pirates. The night before our head server had come over to our table and said, incredibly dryly, and in his own heavily accented english, "tomorrow at dinner don't be scare I might be dressed as eh....eh Pirate". How do you pass that up seriously.
The pool deck all closed up for the night's festivities.
We donned our bandanas, which honestly I never thought I would wear but it's hard to not get in the spirit, and headed down to the Bon Voyage Bar for pre-dinner drinks. I strongly recommend this on pirate night, easily the best day to people watch.
Peter Pan was back in action, although not even posing for pictures, he was as far as I could tell just harassing Captain Hook again. The photographers on the ground would just look up at him and shake their heads, it was pretty entertaining.
Seriously get a Mojito from Andre at the Bon Voyage Bar
Dinner was in "Enchanted Garden". It was good. Really can't remember too much about it. I remember Potstickers that weren't too good and crabcakes, which were surprisingly tasty.
I think we all got the same desert...
Most people didn't like the Raspberry sauce in the cake but I didn't mind it.
Also around this time the boat had more movement than we had felt the entire cruise. Our servers said that lately the trips from Cozumel to Castaway Cay had been rocky. It didn't bother us but it was the first time the whole cruise when you could really noticeably feel the boat moving around.
It was hard to pass up a chance to get our picture taken with Pirate Mickey...
Then we went upstairs to watch the Pirate show.
The wind was really bad this night so Jack didn't do his aerial work, and they had to hold the show for a few minutes while the slowed the ship and turned it so that the fireworks would be able to go off safely.
I really did not like this show, a trend with me and the stage shows. As far as I could tell there was a bunch of pirates fighting for some reason in front of some pretty cheap looking backdrops. It just seemed to me that the whole thing could have been much simpler, I mean we're already on a ship, why try and make it look like some Pirate Tavern, but I digress.
I will say that the fireworks are really good, and when you consider you are on a boat in the middle of the Caribbean, they are phenomenal. Kudos to Disney for that, and totally worth the trip up to deck.
A dance party followed. People seemed to enjoy themselves but we were beat. A quick trip through the Pirate's Buffet just to check it out and we were off to bed.
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