May 26 - June 2, 2012 From Reality to Fantasy

[Dawncala]

Magic Found, Magic Lost

Upon returning to our cabin I discovered a card on the bed informing us that we needed to set our clocks ahead one hour tonight. The magic hour we had been given on day 2 was being taken away. To me that meant one less hour of sleep, because I certainly wasn’t giving up any fun time.

[disneydiva16]

What a great trip report!!!! Cant wait to go on the Fantasy in December!!!

[Dawncala]

We just got back from 5 magical days at Disneyland and all I can say is Wow! It was crazy busy, but with some clever planning, and very little sleep, we were able to squeeze in quite a lot. Carsland is AMAZING and we got to ride Radiator Springs Racers twice. Disney totally pulled out all the punches for that ride. Soooo cool! Now to sort through the nearly 1,500 photos.

Now back to our regularly scheduled trip report. Up next...Day 6.

[Dawncala]

Day 6: The Laziest Day of All

Even after accounting for the lost magic hour when we changed time zones I woke later than usual today. After a lazy breakfast in Cabanas I went for my third and last Ionethermie spa treatment followed by a leisurely shower in the spacious Senses locker room. I believe the next hour was dedicated to finding out exactly how comfortable the lounge chairs by the adult pool were. DH and I had high tea reservations at Palo at 3:00 so we skipped lunch and just noshed at Cove Café instead.

[Dawncala]

Juggling Practice

DH took DD to the D Lounge at 1:15 PM to learn to juggle. For the life of me I can’t remember what I was doing at that time. I’m sure wherever I was I was having fun, or relaxing, or both. Michael Holly, the juggling entertainer for the cruise, taught the workshop. DH and DD enjoyed it.


Practicing with one ball first.


Beginners often end up with no balls.

[Dawncala]

Tell the Queen Mum I’ll Be Arriving at 3:00

If you’ve ever taken a Disney cruise you probably already know that brunch reservations in Palo fill up faster than you can say “Bippity boppity boo” and it would take a fairy godmother to squeeze you in on a cruise that has only two days at sea. Brunch on both sea days were completely booked by the time our 90 day reservation window opened. I’ve heard that you can sometimes make reservations as soon as you get on board, but I prefer to have reservations in advance.

Since I really wanted to see the new Palo, and didn’t want to give up another dinner in a main dining room, I scheduled a High Tea instead. We’ve never been to the high tea, but it sounded good so I made 3:00 reservations. Shortly after making these reservations I learned that the Disney Cruise Line was going to discontinue high tea in order to extend their popular brunch hours so I was glad we had reservations and would get to experience it once.




This hand blown glass chandelier gets lots of comments about looking like something that shouldn't really be in a restaurant.


Gorgeous booths, iron screens and tons of detail everywhere.

We arrived promptly at 3:00 and practically had the room to ourselves as there was only one other table of guests in there. We had an excellent window table with gorgeous views of blue skies and a calm ocean. There is a set food menu for high tea, but the hostess gave us a menu anyway because we did have our choice of tea. It was nice that the menu had descriptions of the food too.



I ordered the Cassis tea and I believe DH ordered one of the green teas. Moments after ordering our drinks a gorgeous tower of pastries and sandwiches arrived. Shortly after that a server came around with fresh (and I mean really, really fresh) piping hot scones served with Devonshire cream and strawberry preserves. Our teas arrived as well.


A tower of yum and beautiful blue seas.


Fresh warm scones with cream and jam.


The personal pots of tea come with leaf tea (not bags) and a strainer to use when pouring.

Everything was tasty. We ate until we just couldn’t eat another bite and there was still some food left over. During the meal we were asked if we wanted another of any of the items. Even though a set quantity of food arrived initially we were welcome to ask for more of anything at any time. We politely declined the offer, finished our teas and asked for the check.

Before we left we asked where they usually set up the buffet in here. Palo on the Fantasy was very different from the Palo on the Wonder. Our waiter asked if we’d like a tour of the restaurant. Of course we did so he escorted us all around and I took some more photos.






Beautiful carved wood detail.


This is the area where they set up the food for the brunch buffet.


This beautiful mural, set in a private dining alcove, was covered with transparent shimmery glass beads giving it a textured, shiny effect.


On the way out I noticed the wine storage. Each bottle was cradled in its own personal leather hammock.


This was the only decor choice in Palo that I didn't understand. This is a server work station area. The wall colors don't match anything else in the restaurant and it looks like someone scribbled on it with a can of spray paint.

[Maple17]

Love this report and your tip about using the showers at Senses. Can kids use them too? I am thinking for our upcoming cruise in Feb DH and I will take turns taking DS 8 and DD 10. Will free up the bathroom in our room!

[Dawncala]

Originally Posted by Maple17

Love this report and your tip about using the showers at Senses. Can kids use them too? I am thinking for our upcoming cruise in Feb DH and I will take turns taking DS 8 and DD 10. Will free up the bathroom in our room!

Thank you!

I'm not sure what the official rule is about children in the locker/shower area in Senses. I know you need to be 18 to go in the fitness center or get treatments in the main spa. There is a special teen spa area on the Fantasy, and my daughter was 13 at the time, so we just walked in and no one ever said a word.

You can always try it. Worst thing that could happen is that they let you know your children are too young for the area. You and your DH could still take turns going there.

[bitlerzx4]

I love your report. I can not wait for it to be my turn

[Maple17]

Originally Posted by Dawncala

Thank you!

I'm not sure what the official rule is about children in the locker/shower area in Senses. I know you need to be 18 to go in the fitness center or get treatments in the main spa. There is a special teen spa area on the Fantasy, and my daughter was 13 at the time, so we just walked in and no one ever said a word.

You can always try it. Worst thing that could happen is that they let you know your children are too young for the area. You and your DH could still take turns going there.

Yes, we will try it for sure, such a good idea! Thanks!

[bitlerzx4]

Originally Posted by Dawncala

Port Plaza Pool

In the center of the port plaza is a huge salt water swimming pool. We brought swim suits with us and DS really wanted to go in. DD decided she didn’t want to swim in salt water so she and DH went to wander in and out of the stores. DS changed into his suit and took a swim while Lifeguard Perry kept watch and I took photos. I have to say it’s a pretty cool pool, and huge. It has a shallow end with fountains, is deeper in the center, and the Senor Frog restaurant nearby has a swim up bar area. I bet it gets pretty crowded when multiple ships are in port, but today there was tons of room to splash about.


[/COLOR]

I know silly question but did you have to pay for this pool???

[Dawncala]

Originally Posted by bitlerzx4

I know silly question but did you have to pay for this pool???

No. It's totally free.

[Dawncala]

Yes, I Believe

Tonight’s show in the theater was a new show, created especially for the Fantasy, titled Believe. It’s about a father and daughter discovering what’s most important in life through songs and dances with beloved Disney characters. Another fun-filled, sing-along, tap your toes show that we all enjoyed. The lead cast member who played Jafar in the Aladdin show played the father/scientist character in this show and we really enjoyed his performance again.

[Dawncala]

Michael Holly – Ventriloquist: The Family Show

Then we went to see Michael Holly, the ventriloquist do his family show in The Tube. He was pretty funny, but I think geared more toward the younger crowd than a mixed audience, and the kids hadn’t come with us.

[Dawncala]

The Captain’s Semi-Formal Affair

Tonight was semi-formal night with the Captain’s Menu and we were dining in the Royal Court restaurant again. The Captain’s menu is one of DD’s favorites because it has lobster tail. DD has always preferred the more expensive foods, which can really tweak the budget on our land vacations, but since all the food on the cruise is included we tell her to “go nuts” and eat as much lobster, filet mignon, sushi, shrimp, etc. as she can handle.


My handsome guys in matching blues


Me and my beautiful DD


Appetizer, soup and salad menu


Aged Proscuitto - DS was in heaven


Oysters Rockefeller on the 1/2 shell


Garden Fresh Salad with Tomato Chips


Wild Forest Mushroom Soup with White Truffle Oil


Dinner menu


Oven Baked Lobster Tail


Pan Seared Venison Medallions with Potato Croquettes


Grain Fed Sirloin Steak (from the lighter note menu)


Dessert Menu


Warm Chocolate Lava Cake

After dinner DD went back to the room to change out of her semi-formal dress and into her bunk. The rest of us went to Shutters to see if any photos had been posted and to hunt for more Aquaduck photos in what we hoped was a substantially smaller pile.

We arrived just as Minnie was coming out in her blue vintage dress (I called it her Fantasy dress) so we got in line for photos.



-End of day 6-