Coffee on the Verandah -The Last Slide, Recap & Souvies 5/29 - Link to Aulani TR 5/31

[englishrose47]

Cynthia that food looked amazing !!Can't wait for May when I will be on the Dream and sampling some wonderful food !!

 

[MEK]

That Palo food looks amazing. It's official. I want brunch there. Looks so amazing.

Love the dress.

Love the door!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Brunch looked delicious. It is not offered on a 3 night cruise so it a must do the next time we cruise.

Wow, your fish extender was full!

Can't wait to hear how you spent the rest of your day at sea.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

She really hadn't weighed in on what she wanted, I think the options intimidated her a little and so I went ahead and signed her up for the Ice Cream Mani and Pedi. Honestly, I am not sure of the difference between that and the regular.

They paint your nails in ice cream?

Here is where truly the day gets fuzzy (or the notes are awful, or the pictures I didn't take don’t help).

The first rule of vacation is to enjoy it. Taking notes is way down the list.

Amazingly to me, the place was practically deserted.

Nice! Private seating!

How was the food? Ahhhhh. Palo. So incredibly yummy!

Glad you enjoyed it! I couldn't pronounce half the foods there, but it looks like a fun meal!

Do they have any burgers?

 

[that's nice]

I guess to be able to experience all the 'adult' parts of the ship we need to either- wait till the kids get older, or leave them home!

Palo looks really good.. personally I would of skipped the caviar.

Wonder why the restaurant was so dead? Did you have to pay extra for brunch there?

 

[Disney9.9.10]

I like days without a plan! So much more relaxed

I wonder why they would make such a drastic change to the gym design and location?

Palo brunch looks delicious! And it is weird to see it so empty!

Your sons message is funny, JUST Evan went lol Poor guy had to go all by himself!

 

[fitmom0f2]

Subbing in... Love your report so far. We sailed on the Dream last May.. can't get enough!! Great pics!!

 

[glennbo123]

Oh wow, the buffet looks amazing! Thanks for taking pictures of all of the food. (Seems like Jeff just puts up with it by this point! ) You guys had pretty good appetites.

Uh oh, do I note some ominous foreshadowing about Kendall's appointment?

 

[rentayenta]

Love the dress you're wearing at Palo.

Breakfast looks amazing. And I'm proud of you for working out. I always say and think I'm going to work out on vacation and it rarely happens.

I think the ability to let the kids fend for themselves would be enough for Michael to agree to a cruise. Seriously awesome!

Thanks for the French Onion soup recipe, I'll pass it along to Michael. I'll get his grilled cheese with béchamel and post it. You'll flip, it's amazing.

 

[afwdwfan]

I just wanted to say that one of these days, I will get around to reading this and figuring out what the inside joke is about coffee on the verandah...

 

[eandesmom]

Oh wow! Brunch at Palo looks absolutely delicious! I have to agree with you...where are all the other people? With food that looks that good, you'd think there would be a full restaurant.

For the life of me I can't understand it. Yes there is a surcharge but it's only $20 pp! Their loss, my gain. In more ways than one

Yum, Palo brunch!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are going to be there in just 29 days!!!!!!!

Cynthia, I am so with you, I liked the setup better on the Wonder too! And we were kind of talked into having a pizza with our hot course as well. Seems to be the norm.

for 29 days!

Karin I'm so glad to hear I'm not the only one! Everything I'd read prior talked about how much people liked the newer Palo decor and honestly buffet aside I liked it on the Wonder better. I liked the location better and the buffet set up and it felt more intimate overall. It's not like I disliked it on the Dream mind you, but liked it better. We were totally talked into the pizza and I'm glad we were. We didn't eat the whole thing but oh that grape and Gorgonzola....yum!

I couldn't agree with you more about offering a second drink, but maybe it is because you would have to pay for it. I know, one year we sailed with a couple whose anniversary was on that day and we offered some bubbly to toast them. We were reminded about 5 times that it would have to go on the bill.

Can't wait to hear about the rest of your day.

Well they don't hesitate to sell you wine at dinner so it just seems odd to me. I could see not asking for a bubbly order to start but to not sell a 2nd one just seems so silly. One shouldn't have to work to order a drink. That said, it seemed bigger on the Dream so that part was ok, could be an optical illusion...wine glass versus stem.

That all looks so yummy! What a treat!

So yummy! Definitely a must do.

Your report is great I found it this weekend and just finished. What a beautiful family you have. Thanks for sharing

Thank you so much and happy to have you here!

Awww.... "Tracy's" dress... looks cute on both of you.

I think it looked far lovelier on Tracy with her coloring but it will forever be that much more special to me now, I will think of her every time I wear it (and probably toast to her in it, in Aulani). I totally want to copy her and get a cute little grey or silver cardigan, it was absolutely adorable.

I love it. Palo looks AMAZING!! I can't believe how empty it seems as from what I've gathered through trip reports it is a tough reservation to get. Definitely going on my list if I ever cruise.

It wasn't tough to get on the Dream but I assumed, at the time, that it was because we had the week advantage for being silver. On the Wonder I tried for months to get it. It isn't offered all days and on the 4 day, I think only on the at sea day so maybe people didn't realize that and tried for other days? I have no idea, it makes absolutely no sense. I do think it's a short window that is offered, maybe 10-12?

Fingers crossed K enjoys her first spa experience!

Well not exactly her first. I actually took her to the GF spa back in 2009 for a pedi (maybe it was a mani pedi or just a pedi, I don't recall). At the time, I think she just thought it was wierd! She'd had plenty of pedicures before (and since) but never a "spa" one. I swear they did 8 different types of creams, soaks and scrubs and that just seemed odd to her and then of course the GF didn't exactly have fun cool colors to pick from. I was hoping that since it was the "Chill" spa and targeted for teens, it would be a much better experience. She still has never had anything more than a mani/pedi. I think a facial is next, the whole massage thing or other treatments freaked her out a little but maybe the next trip if there is one we can get facials.

Thanks for the Barefoot Contessa recipes. Is absolutely frigid here in CT - teens/single digits - so some french onion soup may be the perfect weekend dinner. With some champagne, of course...

Oh yes! With bubbly! Or a lovely glass or red or a big Chardonnay. I could go for another bowl of it right now. It's been cold here, not nearly that cold but with the humidity we've all been chilled to the bone and running the fireplace a lot. Which makes me very scared for the gas bill.

 

[natebenma]

I am not sure why I bought them with the border instead of ordering a pre-print without it (generally my preference) but there was some photo drama at the end and I’m guessing this played into it. I have framed these though the border is covered up.

Wow! I can't believe how well the border matches Kendall's dress!

The color on your dress is spectacular. Sorry that you don't really love it anymore.

Sounds like a great afternoon, show and dinner. I loved hearing about your meeting with Captain Gus.

The meals looked fabulous!!! Thanks for sharing the onion soup recipe. I'll have to try that. The one I usually make is very simple.

 

[natebenma]

Just read your Palo update. What amazing looking food!!!!!!!!!

I think I have figured out part of the reason behind your relaxing family vacation. Some wonderful shared time as a family is great, but having time for just the two of you, and the kids having some of their own time and space. Sounds like a great recipe to me.

I hope the rest of the day is magical. But not a disappearing kid kind of magical.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Well, now I'm really looking forward to brunch at Palo - on the Wonder! I hope it's not too hard to get - I will have to figure out which days it's offered. That food looked SOOOO good!
Thanks for the recipes - I may have to try my hand at at least one of them!

Kendall is MIA? Uh oh.

 

[Flossbolna]

great update Cynthia!

Palo looks so delicious, I really can't wait to try it myself! So, did you think 11 was a good time for a reservation? Not sure how much of a choice we are going to have, but I don't want to be there right at 10, but then would hate to be rushed in the end as well.

I have grand plans of bringing my exercise clothes with me while on vacation. I am not sure however, how much I am going to use them. But you writing about the gym on the Wonder makes me want to try it out very much, so that's a great motivation!

 

[MeMom]

I came over here on the right day, as I can finally look at food (for the first time since Sunday afternoon) without turning green. Now I can appreciate your food pictures and even give a big to that pizza. That's a good, good sign for this day!

My goodness, that FE is full of goodies! I look forward to seeing all the treasures you ended up with.

And thanks for the soup recipe and information. I will definitely be giving that one a try!

 

[eandesmom]

Cynthia that food looked amazing !!Can't wait for May when I will be on the Dream and sampling some wonderful food !!

It is delicious! Are planning to go to Palo Rosie?

That Palo food looks amazing. It's official. I want brunch there. Looks so amazing.

Love the dress.

Love the door!

You MUST go to brunch there, it is a requirement! Although if you are on a 3 night they may not have it (can't remember if you are a 3 or a 4). So delicious!

It's my Tracy dress Not the best colors for me but I love the pattern and now it makes me think of Tracy.

I should have got a picture of the full door, we still had one more magnet higher up, our DVC one. Oh well. Are you going to decorate your door or do a FE? It was interesting, on the Wonder there were a LOT of decorated doors. On the Dream? Not so much.

Brunch looked delicious. It is not offered on a 3 night cruise so it a must do the next time we cruise.

I did not know that, I wonder why? Then again I can't understand why there weren't more people there.

Wow, your fish extender was full!

Can't wait to hear how you spent the rest of your day at sea.

Oh my goodness, both cruises our FE was stuffed to the gills on a daily basis! So much fun. I just realized I never posted about the boys going out to do their deliveries on our Nassau day, I'm positive it was after we got back from port and ate, but before dinner. Now I know where they were! LOL. Or at least part of the time.

They paint your nails in ice cream?

Using Ice Cream "shaped" product at a serious up-charge. I was definitely talked into it versus the regular and for the life of me can't recall why.

The first rule of vacation is to enjoy it. Taking notes is way down the list.

true! Like it just occurred to me I left something out of a previous update. The day before..sometime during the day...the E's handed out our first round of FE gifts. Most likely during another lost period of time with no notes, between 4-6 ish. Ish.

Nice! Private seating!

Glad you enjoyed it! I couldn't pronounce half the foods there, but it looks like a fun meal!

Do they have any burgers?

As long as it looks good and tastes good, who cares if you can pronounce it? Burger. Hmmn. No, don't think so. They do have a Chicken Parm that a lot of folks like, I'd assume there is some sort of meat entree that might fill your carnivorous cravings but I ignore things that sound lunch when I am at brunch. Brunch means something ridiculously rich, fattening and either involves bread, eggs, or both.

Oh wait! You could take several slices of the tuna, stick it between the toast points from the caviar and VOILA! Tuna burger.

I guess to be able to experience all the 'adult' parts of the ship we need to either- wait till the kids get older, or leave them home!

Flounders Club/Nursery, Oceaneers Lab/Club...plenty for the kids to do so parents can get out! I can't recall, did Ana hit the kids club much on your NYC to nowhere adventure?

Palo looks really good.. personally I would of skipped the caviar.

Wonder why the restaurant was so dead? Did you have to pay extra for brunch there?

As you can see Jeff skipped it as well, and the seared tuna. He went for the carbo load instead and raved like a little kid over the pastries. To each their own

You do pay extra , but it's only $20pp extra at brunch, so with an extra tip $50 or so for 2. Totally worth it! Dinner is the same.

 

[eandesmom]

I have come to the conclusion that I need to try to walk. Not walk like get off the couch and move but "walk" our next years NYE reservation.

If I even can.

I cannot believe how much angst something a little more than 11 months away is causing me!

I've been checking availability daily and well, it’s not a pretty picture. I’ am still several days away from my official 11 month window (29th) and the days are going fast. As of right now, the room I want is booked through the 25th. Considering that the 11m window for the 25th doesn't start until tomorrow, that’ is a bit concerning. Ok, it’s Christmas Day, I get that but the point is, it’ is gone. At 8am today online I could have gotten the 24/25th. By about 8:20, both were gone and I am afraid that New Years will follow the same trend and am worried actually that I may be entirely blocked out of my view now if folks that are walking that view, keep doing so and are trying for that whole week. As you might imagine, checking on this daily at 5am my time isn't my idea of fun! Starting the walking before I could even get to my arrival date seems insane but oh I will kick myself if that’ is what I really should have done. I've asked the question several times/places and consensus has been that no, I didn't really need to but today indicates otherwise to me. Even if I wanted to start walking tomorrow, I can't!

Given what happened today, here is my plan.

On Saturday at 5am my time, if it is available, I will book the 26th-29th. The 29th is actually the first day of our trip. I will then call at 9am the next 3 days to move the reservation out until it’s where I need it but keeping 2 days ahead of the 11m booking date until the 28th when I can actually book through NYD and then breathe easy. If the 26th isn’'t available, I try on the 27th and so on. I suppose I can also call MS on the 26th even if online shows gone and have them check as well. I’ will check tomorrow to see if the 26th has been taken, I have a strong fear that it will be. I have to figure out what to do if I can’not get the reservation I want. Do I go for a different view if I can get it? And if so, should I walk that alternate view to be safe or just hold on that one till my actual 11m day and then waitlist what I really want? My actual 11m booking day is for a Sunday arrival, which is what everyone wants and for the Sunday prior to mine, was gone in all booking categories by about 9:20 (may have been earlier but I didn't check before then....6:20 my time lol!) and in one category, a few days prior to that.

UGH!!!!!!!!!!!

All ideas on a backup plan are welcome

 

[Flossbolna]

Cynthia, one thing to remember about walking: as long as the first bookable day is still within your already booked time, nobody can book your room away from you for your future days.

If you look at it like this: there are rooms A, B and C. you have room A booked for days 1 to 5, rooms B and C are booked also. Someone trying to book something when the booking window for day 3 opens might see availability for days 6 to 8, but can't book them as they could only book them as a consecutive reservation starting at day 3, but for day three everything is booked. If room B is only booked days 1 through 3, someone could then get a reservation for days 3 through 8, but that would be for room B, not your room A.

So, once you have your starting booking for walking, you only need to make sure to call at some point during the last day of your starting reservation (, i.e. the day before your check-out date, in the example the day the booking window opens for day 4) to get your reservation moved ahead in time.

Hope this makes sense.

 

[afwdwfan]

I have finally caught up on this TR!!! No, I haven't been very productive at work so far today.


Now maybe I'll be able to keep up from now on.

Good luck with your New Years plans. I've got no viable advice, but I wish you luck!