Disney Fantasy June 22-29th 2013: Boardwalk, Boat, and Boston! 2nd Wedding Annivesary

[disneybarbie]

Love the Palo pictures/review! We weren't able to get a reservation when our booking window opened but hopefully there will be some left when we board next Saturday.

Hope you can get a reservation while on board!

That's my favorite part of the whole night!

I love it too - makes walking down the corridors of the ship quite eerie!

So glad the CM's were on top of keeping kids out of the adult area

Okay, i've never even heard or seen anything about steak or lasagna! Every time I hear about Palo Brunch, I hear of the chicken parm or the pizzas or the eggs florentine. These all look so amazing! We will definitely be doing Palo Brunch again in the future

I was pleased to see it too - after all, there are areas of the ship that are just for children too!

I hadn't expected to see things like steak, lasagne etc on the menu at Palo! The pizzas also looked delicious, just too many options hehe.

Your brunch sounds amazing! What a great variety of foods! And how weird to cross a timezone while on the water--very odd to wake up in a different place! (Something I guess you get used to on a cruise ship!)

There were lots of reminders about the time zone changes luckily. My parents have done transatlantic cruises and they had to change the clocks nearly every day!

Great updates! Tacos and tequilas sounds like a fun tour. Those models of things are pretty neat too.

Wow, Palo brunch is pretty unique! Might have to add that to the "someday" list! Looks yummy.

Yes the tour and brunch were definite highlights of the cruise for us!


Update coming soon.....

In other news, it's 60 days to day until our January trip!! Half marathon training is going really well, I can't believe how much I'm enjoying running outside - last weekend I did 12.6 miles in 110 minutes so feeling pretty confident for the race and can hopefully just enjoy it!
And... today I was able to customise our Magic Bands and make Fast Pass Plus selections!!
I don't know 100% what our plans will be.. but it's nice to make a rough plan that can be modified as we get closer to January. I've also been talking to DH about the MDE technology as he didn't know much about it.. he agrees it's pretty cool!

 

[disneybarbie]

.....

We got back to our stateroom, got changed and made our way up to deck 13 for some sunbathing. It was much windier today but still as hot – and despite putting on a lot of sun cream all day, I burnt a little

I broke up the sunbathing with trips to... the laundry room! The one on deck 8 was busy, but I luckily found a much bigger one on deck 9 forward. I ended up chatting to quite a few people while I was there – the machines are a little confusing to use the first time, so I was helping other guests use the touch screen pay machine.

We spent some time on the balcony in our room, and then both went to the gym about 5pm. Again it was busy! I did 2k on the eliptical, some leg presses, a 3k run and then some planks.. the latter were quite interesting as I could feel the ship gently rocking underneath me!

We got back to the room, had showers and got ready for dinner.


For pre-dinner drinks we headed to... Sky Line! We had one more drink on our passport so used that and bought another.



Those beautiful restrooms again!



Dinner tonight was at Animator’s Palate – although we had three meals here during our cruise – each one was so different. Tonight's was the main show – and when we sat down at our table we had a place mat and felt pens, and had to draw a character!
Mine ended up looking a bit odd, but DH's was cute!



Our server collected our pictures, and then we were given the menus.





.....

 

[disneybarbie]

....

Tonight's meal was a little different as three of the courses were set (appetiser, soup and dessert) so we only had to choose our entrees.

(This evening, our table mates were taking pictures of the food, so I did too!)

To start we had seared tuna, melon with cured ham and shrimp.



Next was a popcorn soup, popcorn and corn bread... I couldn't decide if I liked it.. it was such a unique flavour!



I had turbot for my main course, and for dessert we had a melting middle chocolate cake  both were delicious.

While the food was great  the show during the meal was amazing!!

Video here... (You can see our servers Luciana and Sutheepong at the start too!)




I can't even start to imagine the technology they have developed to scan in all of those pictures and have them dance up on the screens.. all within about 30 minutes.
After the sorcerer's apprentice music there were then famous song/dance scenes from Disney movies such as 'Friend Like Me' from Aladdin.

It was fun to see our names appear in the credits too...



We stayed quite late in the restaurant talking to our table mates, we wouldn't be dining together the next night so said our goodbyes too (although we actually saw each other the next day anyway!) - we didn't exchange email addresses but I sort of wish we had, they were such a sweet couple.

DH and I went up to bed about 11pm, greeted once again by a fun towel animal.. wearing Ray Bans this time!



We also had a dinner invitation to Remy, the navigator and gratuity envelopes for our servers and room steward.



I couldn't believe it was the second to last night of our cruise already... but we were both so excited for the next day, back to paradise... Castaway Cay!

 

[khertz]

I got a little behind but I am all caught up now.

Both of your excursions sound really interesting, especially the one of the Mayan ruins. I really enjoy learning about the history of different countries and cultures so getting to go to something like that and actually climb around on it and experience it must have been so cool!

Every dessert photo you post has me drooling!!

The pirate night sounds like a lot of fun, and I can't even imagine how amazing it is to watch fireworks from the deck of your cruise ship! I'm glad the CM's do a good job of patrolling the adults-only areas. I don't understand those parents who think having a kid in tow means they get to go wherever they want and ignore the rules!

Dinner at Animator's Palette seems so cool! I love how they bring you into the action by letting you animate yourself. Ahh this is all making me want to book a Disney cruise right now!!

 

[Leshaface]

Omgosh! I absolutely LOVE that they do this drawing activity at dinner! So fun! I was keeping a close look-out for your drawing, but luckily you giggled and zoomed in on you guys Very cool!

Can't wait to hear about Remy

 

[Dugette]

That's a pretty cool drawing activity at dinner!

If it makes you feel better, we had great table mates on a cruise a few years back and DID exchange info and never once contacted each-other. Of course, I also have some friends that met a couple on their honeymoon cruise 10+ years ago and are still best of friends and fly out to visit each other...

Anyway, looking forward to more. This is really making me want to take a Disney cruise ASAP.

 

[klacey1]

The technology in Animator's Pallette is amazing! If only the Imagineers who worked on that could get together with the Magic Band/My Disney Experience app people and figure out how to make technology run effectively.
Hmmm, I know popcorn in desserts/savory foods is a huge trend right now, but I'm not sure how I feel about it! I like my popcorn on its own!

 

[disneybarbie]

I got a little behind but I am all caught up now.

Both of your excursions sound really interesting, especially the one of the Mayan ruins. I really enjoy learning about the history of different countries and cultures so getting to go to something like that and actually climb around on it and experience it must have been so cool!

Every dessert photo you post has me drooling!!

The pirate night sounds like a lot of fun, and I can't even imagine how amazing it is to watch fireworks from the deck of your cruise ship! I'm glad the CM's do a good job of patrolling the adults-only areas. I don't understand those parents who think having a kid in tow means they get to go wherever they want and ignore the rules!

Dinner at Animator's Palette seems so cool! I love how they bring you into the action by letting you animate yourself. Ahh this is all making me want to book a Disney cruise right now!!

Thanks for reading
The fireworks at sea are so spectacular! We overheard a crew member telling someone that they are made of 'fish food'... in order for Disney to be allowed to set fireworks off in the ocean, they had to invent ones that were water soluble/fish-friendly!
Let me know if you do book a Disney cruise hehe

Omgosh! I absolutely LOVE that they do this drawing activity at dinner! So fun! I was keeping a close look-out for your drawing, but luckily you giggled and zoomed in on you guys Very cool!

Can't wait to hear about Remy

Hi Lesha, the meal was so much fun with the animation! If/when we do it again, I'll think more about my drawing - some people's were so well drawn!

That's a pretty cool drawing activity at dinner!

If it makes you feel better, we had great table mates on a cruise a few years back and DID exchange info and never once contacted each-other. Of course, I also have some friends that met a couple on their honeymoon cruise 10+ years ago and are still best of friends and fly out to visit each other...

Anyway, looking forward to more. This is really making me want to take a Disney cruise ASAP.

Hehe.. have you booked a cruise yet?! DCL just announced the schedule for 2015.. I have already been browsing the website, just pricing a few things up!
That's great about your cruise friends from honeymoon!

The technology in Animator's Pallette is amazing! If only the Imagineers who worked on that could get together with the Magic Band/My Disney Experience app people and figure out how to make technology run effectively.
Hmmm, I know popcorn in desserts/savory foods is a huge trend right now, but I'm not sure how I feel about it! I like my popcorn on its own!

- I guess the DME/Magic Bands project is a bit bigger than the cruise dinner show - but it really was amazing!
I couldn't make my mind up about the popcorn soup.... but agree about savoury/dessert - I don't understand bacon on cupcakes?! hehe.



Emma x

 

[disneybarbie]

Day 9 – Castaway Cay

Friday 28th June 2013

After visiting Castaway Cay twice during our first cruise in 2011 – we were both so excited to return to one of the most beautiful places we've ever been to!

Watching the 'view from the bridge' channel in our stateroom as we approached the island...



We'd read through the navigator the night before, and agreed to do something together that a few months ago neither of us would ever have considered... we were going to run the Castaway Cay 5k!
I'd read about it in the past, and mentioned it vaguely to DH but he'd said 'no way' – it would be too hot, and we'd rather just relax on Serenity Bay.
However, after enjoying our run at the Boardwalk the week before – he agreed he'd run it with me! Yes it would be hot and a hard 3.1 miles – but, how many other people can say they've run on a private Bahamian island?

I got dressed in my running clothes, and went up to Cabanas to get some pre-race fuel – bananas and little packs of bran flakes! I had to ask a crew member where the bananas were, he didn't understand what I wanted at first, so I had to pronounce it 'bah-nah-nah' rather than my British-sounding 'bar-nar-nar' ! I also filled up our water bottles with ice cold water from the soda machines.

While the ship was so quiet, I took some photos of the cute Finding Nemo splash area.




The ship was backing into port on the island – it's so beautiful!



We headed down to The Tube where we needed to sign up for the race – we didn't take our ID, just room keys, but we needed both to register/get off the ship – so DH went back to the room, I sat and waited. It all looked much more 'serious' than I had expected – with proper Run Disney race bibs!



There were about 60 people there waiting, nearly everyone was in proper running clothes and many in previous race tech-shirts (half marathon, marathons etc!). I'd only started running in April and was learning so much about the sport – I felt a little bit intimidated but so excited at the same time! I saw a couple wearing the New Balance Disney running shoes, and one lady was dressed in full Minnie Mouse running costume.

The crew members explained the route to us using a map up on the screen.

.....

 

[disneybarbie]

.....

A great thing about taking part in the race is that you are the first group allowed off the ship! We were led down a stairwell to deck 1 – other guests waiting for cheering us and saying things like 'go guys!' 'have a great race'!

We walked to the start point which is near Pelican Point (this is about 1k from the ship... I had switched on my Nike+ iPod app for the race!), we were allowed a quick restroom break – then it was time to line up and get ready!



This is the route (picture found on internet..)

DH and I ran next to each other the whole race, he tends to run at a quicker pace than me (I run 9 minute miles, he does 8) – but we really needed each other for motivation, it was sooo hot! There were several opportunities to get cups of water (one of them I just threw over my head to cool down!) and I was carrying my running bottle too.

After running around the bike trail, we had to run up the runway towards Serenity Bay, and back to the bike trail – as we got back there, a man was already on his way back towards Pelican Point.. DH said “I guess he's won then”.. I wasn't thinking about who was winning at all, it was quite funny! As we were leaving the bike trail, some other participants who were behind us (they'd started walking I think, it was so hot!) said “keep going guys!” and “good job!” .. those few words gave us both such a boost! I am used to running by myself with no one around, I can't imagine what it will be like to have a crowd cheering in January.

As we crossed the runway and back towards the finish line, the guy who had won was walking towards the beach – he said to me “you're the third fastest woman at the moment... keep going, giddy up!” … I couldn't believe it. We got around the last bend and I could see the finish line, I turned to DH and said “are you ready?” he didn't understand what I meant though, as I decided to sprint to the finish line, and left him behind!

I did indeed finish as the third fastest female though. I didn't see the clock but DH said he crossed the line at 27 minutes – so I did it in about 26.50 – happy with that considering the heat, plus a week of lots of food/cocktails!

We got our medals (I didn't know we got one of these!), my first ever medal in my life... and what a way to earn it.
There was more cold water available which we gulped down – then walked back to the ship to get changed (there was a place for runners to put bags if you wanted to stay on the island, so I'd do that next time). Most guests were walking away from the ship as we were heading back, and as we had our medals around our necks people were asking us about the race, or we'd hear them say “oh look they ran the 5k!” - it felt like such an achievement.

We both felt pretty sweaty and hot – but I requested that we stop for a photo by the ship, in the same place we'd had a photo 2 years earlier with the Dream.



The couple in front of us in line for the photo had also run, and the lady had been the fastest woman in our race!


We got back up to the room and changed, a group of senior crew members were inspecting the corridors – that was fun to see.

Then we headed back down to the island... it was time to relax now!

(We bought the tshirts later in the day...)




According to my iPod – the run (green bit!) and walk to/from ship was 8k.. 5 miles.



If you are a runner or have any interest in this race – I really recommend you do it! There is also a power walk that takes place afterwards, the same route I believe. It was my first experience of an organised running event, and has given me confidence (and even more excitement) about doing the WDW Half Marathon... in just a few weeks time!


.....

 

[Dream426]

I have been reading every update and have been trying to comment after I read it but keep forgetting at the end of the day. I am loving all of your updates and pictures. It makes me want to plan a Disney cruise so soon.

 

[colachdec]

Love reading this! My family was on this cruise, as well. We had been on the Dream in 2011 and just got off the Magic last week. I think we are full blown addicted to Disney cruises, lol.
Your trip sounds fantastic!! What a wonderful anniversary you must have had
Our trip was different since we were with our three sons and my in-laws, but it was certainly great!
Thanks for writing this and allowing me to relive the FANTASY!!

 

[klacey1]

What a unique experience, to run on Castaway Cay!! And that's awesome that they take it so seriously with medals, bibs, etc. Congrats on being the third fastest woman!!

 

[khertz]

That's really great that you both participated in the race! And pretty amazing that you were the 3rd fastest woman. Quite the accomplishment, Emma! I'm not a runner, but I have to imagine running around Castaway Cay is not a bad view.

 

[jedijill]

Congrats on the race!

Jill in CO

 

[MEK]

I found your TR link while reading khertz's TR this evening. I am officially subbed and only have a few more updates to read to be completely caught up, but I think I stop here for comments.

Congrats on your 2 year anniversary. You really planned a lovely trip.

Good luck on your 1/2 marathon. I'm sure its going to be a great experience.

Curious - is the CC 5K offered only at certain times or do they do that every time the boat stops on the island? I would really like to try that.

I love both the Boadwalk and the AKL. In fact, I did a split stay between those two resorts in October.

The meals on the cruise look fabulous and I didn't realize they sold a drink card.

The excursions look pretty fun, too!

I have to tell you - I can't wait to read about Boston. As much as I love a Disney trip report I absolutely love reading about different travel locations. Boston is within driving distance for me and I have only stayed there once (it was a 4 night bike ride across the entire state). I would love to go back so I'm curious to see your itinerary.

Great trip report. Really enjoying it.

 

[dmwang9]

Curious - is the CC 5K offered only at certain times or do they do that every time the boat stops on the island? I would really like to try that.

I've been on 3 Disney cruises, and all 3 had 5k's first thing in the morning at Castaway Key. One of those cruises double-dipped (had two Castaway Cay days), and IIRC, the 5k was only offered on one of the two days.

Given how popular the Castaway Cay 5k's seem to be, at least in my experience, I'd guess that Disney is going to continue offering them, since it's a fairly low-cost event with a pretty high level of guest satisfaction. Also, it gives them a chance to plug the other runDisney events (read: increase runDisney's revenue), and since when has our beloved House of Mouse passed up an opportunity to do that? Note that I am not bitter at all about this. The CC 5k was what convinced me to start road racing again after a 20+ year hiatus.

-- Dave

 

[disneybarbie]

I have been reading every update and have been trying to comment after I read it but keep forgetting at the end of the day. I am loving all of your updates and pictures. It makes me want to plan a Disney cruise so soon.

Hi! Thank you for reading... writing about this cruise is making me want to book another one too

Love reading this! My family was on this cruise, as well. We had been on the Dream in 2011 and just got off the Magic last week. I think we are full blown addicted to Disney cruises, lol.
Your trip sounds fantastic!! What a wonderful anniversary you must have had
Our trip was different since we were with our three sons and my in-laws, but it was certainly great!
Thanks for writing this and allowing me to relive the FANTASY!!

Hi! Thank you so much for reading and for your comments can't believe this cruise was almost 6 months ago, we had such an amazing time.
I'd like to cruise on the Magic or Wonder at some point.. see what the Classic ships are like.

What a unique experience, to run on Castaway Cay!! And that's awesome that they take it so seriously with medals, bibs, etc. Congrats on being the third fastest woman!!

Thank you! I'm so glad we did the race - it was so hot, felt like a really long 3 miles.. but not an experience that many people get to do I guess
I'm pleased too I got to 'practice' wearing a bib while running too - so I know what to expect in January - I've actually kept the safety pins from the 5k to use for the Half Marathon (good luck charm!)

That's really great that you both participated in the race! And pretty amazing that you were the 3rd fastest woman. Quite the accomplishment, Emma! I'm not a runner, but I have to imagine running around Castaway Cay is not a bad view.

Thanks - so pleased we ran it, and together too - it's good to have someone running next to you, I think we kept each other going

Congrats on the race!

Jill in CO

Thank you!

I found your TR link while reading khertz's TR this evening. I am officially subbed and only have a few more updates to read to be completely caught up, but I think I stop here for comments.

Congrats on your 2 year anniversary. You really planned a lovely trip.

Good luck on your 1/2 marathon. I'm sure its going to be a great experience.

Curious - is the CC 5K offered only at certain times or do they do that every time the boat stops on the island? I would really like to try that.

I love both the Boadwalk and the AKL. In fact, I did a split stay between those two resorts in October.

The meals on the cruise look fabulous and I didn't realize they sold a drink card.

The excursions look pretty fun, too!

I have to tell you - I can't wait to read about Boston. As much as I love a Disney trip report I absolutely love reading about different travel locations. Boston is within driving distance for me and I have only stayed there once (it was a 4 night bike ride across the entire state). I would love to go back so I'm curious to see your itinerary.

Great trip report. Really enjoying it.

Hi! Thanks so much for reading and for all your comments

AKL/BW sounds like a great split stay.. I love the theme and ambience at AKL, but really like the location of the Boardwalk

As far as I know (and from what Dave commented too) - the 5k is held on each ship's visit to Castaway Cay

I've been on 3 Disney cruises, and all 3 had 5k's first thing in the morning at Castaway Key. One of those cruises double-dipped (had two Castaway Cay days), and IIRC, the 5k was only offered on one of the two days.

......
-- Dave

Thank you for confirming that Dave




Update coming soon ... sorry for the delay... I better get going with this TR, less than 5 weeks until January trip now!



Emma x

 

[disneybarbie]

....

We got the shuttle from Pelican Point to Serenity Bay... after our run, we decided we didn't have to walk all the way there as well!



While waiting for the shuttle – we saw a familiar looking pirate talking to some crew members.



While on the shuttle, we couldn't believe quite how far the runway was... did we really just run up and down here?



(This is the bike trail that we ran around twice during the 5k...)


We got to Serenity Bay, it was as beautiful as I remembered. We easily found some sunbeds, DH went for a swim – I settled down in the shade to read my book (and eat the box of bran flakes I'd got from Cabanas for breakfast!)



We went for a walk along the beach (and saw some barracudas), read/listened to music and relaxed.



.....

 

[disneybarbie]

....



We saw Captain Jack Sparrow strolling along the beach too – it was fun to watch all the grown women run out of the sea/from the sunbeds for photos!!



As a reward for our morning run, we each got a cocktail from the bar tender who was walking up and down the beach



We had brought two waterproof cameras with us for the trip, we'd been using one (which I realised I've not had developed yet) but decided to give the other one away to a family sat near us – they seemed pleased with it.

At around 12 we headed to the BBQ area for lunch – something that we'd absolutely loved on our previous cruise, and it didn't disappoint!



The Mahi Mahi is particularly delicious.



We spent some more time on the sunbeds, then walked back to the bar area for a drink – we were intrigued by the plastic Corona bottles that had 'sand proof' necks!

After a little more time on the beach, at one point a very large sting ray swam into the bay – lots of people were screaming and ran out of the water
At around 3pm we made our way back to the main area of the island on the tram.




We stopped at one of the shops to buy the 5k tshirts and a pin too.



....