You bet your aft we had a good time! A Wonder trip report Update 12/30 p.59-611

[mrslaney]

Thank you Stacey and I'm uploading photos for an update right now.

Woohoo!

 

[rentayenta]

Woohoo!

Sorry it took so long. Work kept expecting me to work. ​

 

[rentayenta]

After our self-directed and much appreciated tour it was time for the mandatory muster drill. We were directed to go to Animator's Palate (AP) per the info in our room. The muster drill was well organized and painless. It was cool to get a sneak peek at AP too as we'd be having dinner there tonight. The crew makes the drill as fun as they can. It was very loud in there. Note to future cruisers, they want start until everyone is in there so please don't be that party and make the rest of us wait.

On the way out we took this picture. We still don't know which way is which. I remained directionally challenged the entire cruise and if it weren't for Joshua, I'd have been lost.

Post muster it was time for the sail away party. I was eager to get outta town and onto the deep blue sea. I called M and the girls once last time and then put myself on airplane mode for the next 5 heavenly days. I won't hesitate to totally check out every cruise. Seriously freeing.

We stopped to get Joshua another drink.

We met Pam back near the pool and decided to go up to Deck 10 for the party. We had watched a lot of YouTube videos and Joshua was totally uninterested in being around the little kids and streamers. He's not a huge dance party guy either, he doesn't love crowds. He's outgoing but is much like his father. Once he's familiar with you then he's a riot but it takes him a while to warm up to you. Unless you're Pam and then he's smitten from the get go.

A selfie while waiting:

I took a ton of photos from the sail away but realized they all looked alike. We were excited for that magical Disney horn to blow but first some video, party people (crew), and some of our favorite pals:

And the ultimate host with the most, the mouse who started it all: Mickey!!!

Our cruise director. I didn't remember seeing him the rest of the cruise after this.

And some random ship and view shots from around:

It was so cool when the Wonder blew her horn. We passed a Carnival ship while we slowly puttered out. They looked jealous. Just saying. I would have been too. The Wonder is just so gorgeous.

Joshua and I wanted to move up to the front of the ship and see nothing but the ocean. We said goodbye to Pam and headed to the most forward part of the ship. I'd day it was about 5:00 or so by this time. The All Aboard show was set to begin at 6:15 pm and dinner was at 8:15.

Guess who missed the first night's show? Us. Guess who didn't make any show? Joshua. Guess who only made one show? Me.

Now I know some of you are thinking but Disney's show are top notch. I don't doubt that for a minute however, we aren't super into shows. We've only seen Aladdin once at DCA and have never seen FOTLK or LM at WDW. We're show losers. We admit it. We're okay with it. I just couldn't fathom bringing myself inside on such a warm and wonderful evening. I am a sun and water girl. I don't regret missing the shows at all and I doubt we'd watch them on our next cruise.

So forward we went and it was wonderful. We chatted with folks nearby and took lots of pics.

The employee pool:

First to the right (starboard):

Then left (port):

We're getting closer to nothing but blue:

After we were clearly out at sea we went back to our cabin to get a better feel for it and enjoy the sun from our verandah. It had been a long travel weekend and we wanted to chill. But first, chicken fingers and fries. Why not, dinner was a good 2+ hours away.

The chicken fingers were excellent. Ellen recommended them and she was right. So good. This would be the first of many orders. Joshua was happy with BBQ and honey mustard.


Continued in next post......​

 

[rentayenta]

Elevator selfie. Mind you, this was the only time I recall, taking the elevator. Joshua convinced me to take the stairs the rest of the cruise:

Does it get any better? Look at that grin!

Miami fading away:

So after a tiny chill I decided to tackle the FE gifts. My anxiety took over and I decided I wanted to deliver them right then. Poor Joshua. He was quite the trooper. We got them all ready and ran around that whole ship. We had to deliver on floors 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, and 8, a total of 11 rooms plus Pam. Sadly, I realized I had forgotten a whole bag of FE gifts under my bed. I've mailed Pam's. The rest are still under the bed.

It took is a good 30-40 minutes or so to deliver them all.

We had fun but I'm not sure it's something I'd do again exactly the same way. I was way out of my FE league. We received some amazing gifts. I will get to those later. Next time, I just may exchange with people I've taken a particular liking too and give nicer gifts instead of mass gifts. Joshua LOVED coming back to the cabin every night to find his gifts. He also wished we had given better gifts. Like I said, we were totally out of our FE league. Pam spoiled us rotten!

Our FE:

And our decorated door. I forgot to mention that Jennifer from our meet made me some magnets and I made her one as well. It really is a fun activity.

By the end the door was full of fun magnets from our group. A few ladies also did a traveling Mickey magnet that was a blast. I've got some good ideas for next time.

After FE delivery, we went back to our verandah to watch the sun start to set. To say it was incredible would be an understatement. We were finally, on our cruise!

Dinner wasn't until 8:15 so we had a little more down time. Sun, sea, ship, amazing. These are all taken from our verandah:

He totally gets it.

As much as we didn't want to leave our cocoon of cruise goodness, it was almost dinner time and we were excited to EAT.....more......you'll see this as a reoccurring theme. Oh my gosh the amount of food on the ship is overwhelming.

I changed into some white linen pants with a silky peach short sleeved t and my denim jacket. Joshua didn't change his clothes. We saw many people leaving the early dinner in very casual attire and I was relieved. We are not dressy folk.

Dinner tonight was at AP and I had read so many cool things about it from the lights to the food to the drawings coming to life. We had requested a table with Pam but that's the only request we made. Before dinner we stopped into Shutters and found our book: Pluto Brown 10.

Yup, old redneck habits die hard. Here's the pic of our port of Miami pic that until I uploaded it, forgot we even took in the port. See, I told you it was a blur.

I didn't find out until later that this was a BIG no no.

After unknowingly breaking da rules, we sauntered out to the deck as we had a few minutes before dinner.

Selfie. Joshua loved his wave phone.

Pam's photos and commentary to come and then dinner at AP, Ozzy and Arjay (our servers), our tablemates, and the tablemate soap opera that would ensue nightly and sometimes daily. I am SO glad Pam and Beth were there to experience this with me because some of it is so outrageous, I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't experienced it.


To be continued.......



​

 

[Angeejoe]

What's the big no no?

I'm very interested to hear your tablemate story, I've been reading the craziest tablemate thread & some have had me laughing out loud- very loud.

I love the pics on the verandah. It looks so relaxing!

 

[ACDSNY]

The smiles on both of your faces says it all and I'm so happy to see your sunset pics.

 

[franandaj]

Great update! I still have never seen a sail away party. I've always had my own in the room because Fran is always too tired to go up to deck whatever and I'm happy to just pour a glass of wine from the fridge and enjoy our verandah as we sail away.

Yes, taking pictures in Shutters is a definite no, no.

I want to hear about this tablemate drama!

OMG! Cynthia and I had a great day, I am sooooooo tired and this is the first day since wearing my fitbit that I hit 10,000 steps. I figured we wouldn't do too much park walking so I didn't bring my scooter, but we did BTMRR and then RSR, not much farther than you can walk in the parks. By the time we settled down for a drink my legs already hurt. As she was walking me out my fitbit went bonkers that I had hit my first 10,000 steps goal.

I need to go to sleep.

 

[mvf-m11c]

The sail away party looks very nice and entertaining. The sunset pictures are so nice.

Great updates.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Great smiles all round. Love the look of the Sail Away party. Your pictures *almost* make me want to book a cruise. *almost*. I would need a ton of drugs to keep me from up-chucking.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Love all the photos. I am not really into the sailaway party or any deck parties for that matter. We also really don't watch the shows. I have seen most of the shows on the Magic and the Wonder once. I still have not managed to see Toy Story The Musical. Graham only has made it to Villains Tonight on the Magic. We tend to use the time when people are at the early show and early dinner to go for a swim or to use the Rainforest Room.

You were so lucky that your first safety drill was in Animators Palate. It is so much nicer to have an inside muster station. Out on the open deck it can be a complete zoo. We have never been in Animators Palate, but we have been in the Walt Disney Theater for the safety drill twice and I am 99% sure that this is were our muster station is for our upcoming cruise as well. This is so much more civilized.

Corinna

 

[MEK]

Wow - your verandah looks huge! Just huge!

I love your pictures of Miami during sail away. I have to say that it looks much nicer than Cape Canaveral, but it IS miami after all.

No worries about missing the shows. After winter I don't blame you for a second for wanting to soak in as much sun as possible.

I fear that I am out of the FE league gifts too. Is it wrong that its just not something I really want to do? It's a cute idea, but I'm just not sure I care that much about it. Is that cruise blasphemy?

Joshua's beaming smile continues to be wonderful! It makes me smile every time I see him.

Bring on more commentary Pam!

 

[chattadisser]

Can't wait to hear about the tablemate drama...isn't it nice when you realize your familys not as crazy as theirs???

I'm with MEK on the FE gifts, it seems like a lot of work and then to worry about if yours are "good enough". It's like planning a kids birthday party...will it be cool enough? I think I am going to feign ignorance on this one for our cruise. I do want to do some door magnets, I think the girls will like that, plus then I can find our room easier!

Christine

 

[rentayenta]

What's the big no no?

I'm very interested to hear your tablemate story, I've been reading the craziest tablemate thread & some have had me laughing out loud- very loud.

I love the pics on the verandah. It looks so relaxing!

The BIG no no was taking photos of photos in Shutters. Now I know Disney doesn't love that we all do it with ride photos as they are trying to sell them but technology is too hard to control and it would take a few full time people at the end of every ride to ensure this isn't happening. I have had a CM standing there and they seem to be there more for crowd control than anything else, moving folks along after they've taken their redneck photo of a photo. Shutters was empty so we didn't think twice. Later on we saw CM stop others from taking pics of the photos. ​

The smiles on both of your faces says it all and I'm so happy to see your sunset pics.

Magical.​

Great update! I still have never seen a sail away party. I've always had my own in the room because Fran is always too tired to go up to deck whatever and I'm happy to just pour a glass of wine from the fridge and enjoy our verandah as we sail away.

Yes, taking pictures in Shutters is a definite no, no.

I want to hear about this tablemate drama!

OMG! Cynthia and I had a great day, I am sooooooo tired and this is the first day since wearing my fitbit that I hit 10,000 steps. I figured we wouldn't do too much park walking so I didn't bring my scooter, but we did BTMRR and then RSR, not much farther than you can walk in the parks. By the time we settled down for a drink my legs already hurt. As she was walking me out my fitbit went bonkers that I had hit my first 10,000 steps goal.

I need to go to sleep.

Okay, wait, NO scooter and fitbit? Where have I been girl? That's awesome! And 10,000 steps? Way to go! I knew you girls would have a great time. Isn't she fun? Where did you go for a drink? Pictures?

The sail away party is darling. I can't say that you've missed much as it geared towards kids but being totally forward on the ship was very cool. Maybe Fran would be up for that. It wasn't crowded after that. The early diners went in to get ready. ​

The sail away party looks very nice and entertaining. The sunset pictures are so nice.

Great updates.

Bret. Glad you're enjoying it. Stay tuned for Pam's photos.​

Great smiles all round. Love the look of the Sail Away party. Your pictures *almost* make me want to book a cruise. *almost*. I would need a ton of drugs to keep me from up-chucking.

I have read great things about Bonine but understand how miserable seasickness is. We had a very rough sea night the next night where we had heard of quite a few folks not feeling well. Joshua and I felt the rocking but I find it more soothing than anything else.​

Love all the photos. I am not really into the sailaway party or any deck parties for that matter. We also really don't watch the shows. I have seen most of the shows on the Magic and the Wonder once. I still have not managed to see Toy Story The Musical. Graham only has made it to Villains Tonight on the Magic. We tend to use the time when people are at the early show and early dinner to go for a swim or to use the Rainforest Room.

I knew I couldn't be alone in missing the shows. Looks like you use your time wisely. I found it a nice time to be on deck watching funnel vision too. I'd much rather watch a movie on deck in the open air than be in a theater. Glad Disney offers so many options to keep us all happy. They know they're business.​

You were so lucky that your first safety drill was in Animators Palate. It is so much nicer to have an inside muster station. Out on the open deck it can be a complete zoo. We have never been in Animators Palate, but we have been in the Walt Disney Theater for the safety drill twice and I am 99% sure that this is were our muster station is for our upcoming cruise as well. This is so much more civilized.

Corinna

I can imagine the drill being quite a mess if folks aren't contained. ​

Wow - your verandah looks huge! Just huge!

I love your pictures of Miami during sail away. I have to say that it looks much nicer than Cape Canaveral, but it IS miami after all.

No worries about missing the shows. After winter I don't blame you for a second for wanting to soak in as much sun as possible.

I fear that I am out of the FE league gifts too. Is it wrong that its just not something I really want to do? It's a cute idea, but I'm just not sure I care that much about it. Is that cruise blasphemy?

Joshua's beaming smile continues to be wonderful! It makes me smile every time I see him.

Bring on more commentary Pam!

The verandah was HUGE and it felt huge. I think it could have fit a lounger too. With only two of us, everything felt more spacious. We are use to traveling in a pack of 5.

Miami was so pretty. I started looking for jobs right after. I have only been to Orlando and arise from WDW didn't do much for me. I like to go some place and then see if I could actually find a job. I looked within my parent hospital corp and found a few. Pipe dream.

It's not cruise blasphemy at all. I am telling you, we were given some amazing gifts. Pam did it right. She was able to spoil her people by only exchanging with one or two of us. Next time, that's what we'll do. My group had 11 families but 40 people. It was a big group I felt. It was super fun and Jeff, our organizer did a terrific job. And what a sweet group of people too.

​

Can't wait to hear about the tablemate drama...isn't it nice when you realize your familys not as crazy as theirs???

I'm with MEK on the FE gifts, it seems like a lot of work and then to worry about if yours are "good enough". It's like planning a kids birthday party...will it be cool enough? I think I am going to feign ignorance on this one for our cruise. I do want to do some door magnets, I think the girls will like that, plus then I can find our room easier!

Christine

I work in mental health Christine and it never fails, they always find me. Always. DH says its uncanny. I'm not sure if it's because I am tolerant or patient or fascinated with human behavior but if am there, they will come. And I have to say, these weren't bad people and in fact had some endearing qualities at times and when not all together, however the family drama/dynamics trumped it all. Their situation was a recipe for disaster. I felt bad for all of them really and that's why I will refrain from names and descriptions. I would hate to be posted about and identifiable. Had they kept their drama to themselves or confided in me I wouldn't share it but sadly our whole ship was privy to some of it. Cray cray!

The magnets totally helped us find out room! I will totally do those again and a magnet exchange would be fun.​

 

[jedijill]

Sitting here eating my low carb breakfast and totally craving those chicken strips now!

I'm not a huge sail away party fan myself...I've spent the last couple in the spa.

You guys are so cute. Can't wait to hear about the crazy tablemates!

Alison, great job on getting the 10K steps! I bought a Fitbit a couple of weeks ago too...wish I had it at DL!....and its been interesting to see how really inactive I have been. Its good motivation!

Jill in CO

 

[Gilland18]

Just popping in to say I'm loving your TR. We love the Wonder! Also, I have clicked on your green arrow multiple times and wondered why it isn't taking me to your report. lol

 

[Pinkocto]

What a fabulous update!!!!! Those sunset pictures are gorgeous! Josh hamming it up on the verandah is an awesome picture. Let's go again!

I'm going to upload pics and read my journal so I don't miss anything.

 

[rentayenta]

What a fabulous update!!!!! Those sunset pictures are gorgeous! Josh hamming it up on the verandah is an awesome picture. Let's go again! I'm going to upload pics and read my journal so I don't miss anything.

Let's go girl! I'd love to do a land/sea combo as getting us to Florida is the most $$$ part aside from the cruise. It's looking like 2016 might be the most realistic for a land/sea combo. WDW is on the table for early summer 2015.

No hurry on your part. Take your time! ​

 

[rentayenta]

Sorry I missed these replies when I replied to Pam. ​

Sitting here eating my low carb breakfast and totally craving those chicken strips now!

I'm not a huge sail away party fan myself...I've spent the last couple in the spa.

You guys are so cute. Can't wait to hear about the crazy tablemates!

Alison, great job on getting the 10K steps! I bought a Fitbit a couple of weeks ago too...wish I had it at DL!....and its been interesting to see how really inactive I have been. Its good motivation!

Jill in CO

I need to order a digit fit. I'm scared though. I am pretty sedentary at work. Low carb? Whatcha eating? Low carb is the only way I can keep the weight off. I could eat a 3 lb ribeye and not gain an ounce. I eat a bagel and all hell breaks loose. Damn bread!​

Just popping in to say I'm loving your TR. We love the Wonder! Also, I have clicked on your green arrow multiple times and wondered why it isn't taking me to your report. lol

Kim. Green arrow? Should I link my report to it? I don't think I've seen a green arrow.

Yes, the Wonder is gorgeous. I really want to sail it again before it changes.







I may get another update done as I am training a co-worker today, unbeknownst to me, and I'm more shadowing and here for support. Hopefully I'll have time to upload more pics. ​

 

[Pinkocto]

Ok, journal read and pictures loaded,you got a lot more than I did in this time frame. Two things we did while exploring the ship that I wanted to mention.

We gave a fellow guest behind us quite a show by singing and dancing along to the Genie song that was playing overhead

And we stopped by the DVC podium and you guys got lanyards.



We separated ways at the lifeboat drill and I went outside where it seemed like we waited ages for the stragglers. It wasn't hot but kids were whining and ready to go which made me want to go too

I actually found you right next to the elevators, you were heading up to the party, but I insisted you come see my stateroom since it was so close. I wanted you to see the difference. Sorry if I was pushy.

I can't remember if Josh then raced us up the stairs or if he came up the elevator too. I know one time he raced us and got there the same time the elevator did. He was flying!!!!

You got great pictures of the party, I don't need to repeat any of those. I just love that sail away party! So much fun, and those CMs have so much energy!!!

After the party ended I went in search of you guys, but when I couldn't find you figured I'd go check out when I could book a massage.

Adult only, Quiet Cove, pool

Elevators by the spa

They could actually take me right away, yeah! I was going to try and wait until later in the cruise to see if they had any discounts, but when I thought about it the best thing would be to get a massage right away and be relaxed. And it was the best decision ever. They were also offering a free 15 minutes to every massage booked that day so that was a nice bonus. I was worried I'd be missing the first show, I really enjoy the shows, but the massage overruled at the moment. I ended up with a hot stone massage and it was heavenly! I was going to go with a Swedish massage but they convinced me that the benefits of the heat from the stones or bamboo would last several more days than a regular Swedish massage so I went with that. Like I said, best decision ever.

Nice and relaxed I went to see if you were sitting by the pool.

But you weren't so I went to catch the ending of the show. This was before we had figured out the wave phones or I would have just called.

I'm sorry about the poles being right in the middle of the pictures, but isn't the ship gorgeous?

There was still about 20 minutes left of the show, there was a Beauty and the Beast number, Be Our Guest, and some of the magic show left. Besides half of this one I only made it to two other shows, and I usually go to all of them. It's certainly very nice to practically have the ship to yourself when everyone else is at the show or dinner. I have a feeling I'll be skipping more shows in the future.

After the show I stopped in the shops. I had been eying a beautiful DCL necklace since my first cruise in 2012 and I finally decided I was going to buy it. Of course it was discontinued I saw some bracelets I might like but I didn't want to make any rash decisions so decided to leave and think it over. There is a possibility the necklace could be on one of the other ships but they can't cross check inventories. I will look immediately when I'm on the Fantasy.

Heart a little forlorn I headed down to my room via the promenade deck. I don't know which ones I like better so I'm posting them all

I wrote a bit in my journal before dinner and then headed up to Animators Palate.

 

[Pinkocto]

Let's go girl! I'd love to do a land/sea combo as getting us to Florida is the most $$$ part aside from the cruise. It's looking like 2016 might be the most realistic for a land/sea combo. WDW is on the table for early summer 2015.

No hurry on your part. Take your time! ​

That would be awesome! Count me in!!!