Our First Disney Cruise - Wonder 12/2 Finished 1/22

[SmithFamily2003]

You wish Jack Sparrow was your boyfriend! Thank you again for my autographed vinylmation!

[FlyingBelle]

Originally Posted by Minnie&Mickey

he doesn't know who we can leave the dog with!!! I love my dog, but come one, it's a Disney Cruise!

When we were on castaway cay, we saw a woman with a rather large dog in a wagon. It struck me odd so of course I had to stare, she had her wallet and what looked like a key to the world card in the wagon too. I didn't notice a uniform or anything that indicated she was a resident of the island (we were walking on the path from the ship to the family beach).

[disney_princess_85]

Thanks for the great report!

[missj1975]

Originally Posted by jenseib

Loved the TR!!!! How much did you give the porter to get you through customs. I have heard others recommend this too.

Technically you don't give the tip until you are past customs so the tip isn't what will breeze you thru customs. Hopefully you will just get a good porter. We were feeling very generous that morning so we gave him a $20 for 4 bags. Usually I just tip $2 per bag but we liked the guy.

[missj1975]

Originally Posted by FlyingBelle

When we were on castaway cay, we saw a woman with a rather large dog in a wagon. It struck me odd so of course I had to stare, she had her wallet and what looked like a key to the world card in the wagon too. I didn't notice a uniform or anything that indicated she was a resident of the island (we were walking on the path from the ship to the family beach).

OMG, we noticed the same woman and dog and I just completely forgot until now. I saw her and the dog on Castaway Cay...at the time I thought maybe it was an employee and some kid activity. But later I saw her disembark with the dog and carryon bags. The dog wasn't wearing a service dog vest or collar so I would just love to know the story behind that one.

We have a dog and several cats. Luckily I have a very trustworthy neighbor across the street that visits the house three times a day to walk the dog and check on the cats when we go on vacation. I pay him $15 a day. He actually would have done it for free but I was like no way. That being said, our pets are one reason we haven't taken a 7 day cruise yet. We just miss our animals too much and 7 days seems too long to be away from our pets.

[jenseib]

I am so excited. After a few years of asking DH to go on a Dicney cruise (and his reply is always no) He told me he wants to go on one rather that do a full WDW trip. YAY! Now we just have to get him to commit to booking it soon. He likes to wait last minute on everything.

[missj1975]

Originally Posted by jenseib

I am so excited. After a few years of asking DH to go on a Dicney cruise (and his reply is always no) He told me he wants to go on one rather that do a full WDW trip. YAY! Now we just have to get him to commit to booking it soon. He likes to wait last minute on everything.

Yeah for you!!!!

Last minute isn't always bad. We had our February WDW vacation planned since November. After our December cruise we decided to convert our February WDW vacation into a cruise. I was so nervous about planning a cruise in less then two months but it all worked out. The shorter the planning, the less waiting ;-)

[missj1975]

At the Contemporary, we ride the monorail to the Polynesian hotel.



We walk around, browse the gift shops, and then head back to the monorail to the next stop, The Grand Floridian...or I like to call The Mad House.



I thought for sure there had to be a celebrity or someone famous hanging around cause the crowds were crazy. Turns out no one famous around, just hundreds of people wanting a free sample of gingerbread.



After artfully dodging our way to the front, we snagged a free sample. Yeah don't waste your time, how can I say nicely...Disney's gingerbread sucks. We did enjoy looking for the "not so hidden mickey's" on the ginerbread house and then we were off to our next destination...Epcot!!!







We love Epcot. We especially love the Mexican counter service at the World Showcase. I know it isn't really anything special but to us the nachos call our name. Apparently everyone had the nacho craving cause the place was packed, not a empty table in sight. Frankly the crowds at Epcot shocked me. I am spoiled cause I am not use to crowds at Disney. I guess we always time our vacations just right cause Disney is never crowded when we visit. Our luck did not hold out and the place was packed. So we skipped the Mexico and headed to France, our next favorite counter service.


Creme Brulee is a healthy lunch, right?


DH and I shared the cheese plate.

So after walking around the world showcase, we walked over to the Beach Club to check out their Christmas decorations.

[missj1975]

So after the Beach Club, we walked back to Epcot and rode the bus back to The Contemporary. We stopped by the room to change into warmer clothes and then we walked to the Magic Kingdom. OMG, I loved it. Seriously if anyone wants to just go to the Magic Kingdom, you have to stay at the Contemporary. It was a five minute walk, if that. We loved it.


This is what you see as you walk to Magic Kingdom from the Contemporary.



We walked around, shopped a little, rode our favorite rides like the Haunted Mansion and Pirates. We also rode Winnie the Pooh cause we wanted to see the new queue.



The new queue has games for kids to play. Like how is that not going to cause problems, kids aren't going to want to move up in line because they will want to play the games, parents will move up in line and probably cut off other parents. Personally all I see is a major headache.

So as we walk by the castle where Belle's storybook time use to be held, I see a line. I ask a lady standing in line what is it for and she says to meet Rapunzel. I was like is it a show or something and she is like no just a character meet and greet. Hmmm...I give DH my puppy eyes (cause he is not a big fan of standing in line to meet characters) and he grumbles sure let's meet Rapunzel. I do love my DH, even after we found out it would take an hour to meet Rapunzel he still agreed to wait. I think watching the movie the night before really helped...he wanted to meet her too.;-)

So we waited in line for an hour. I did leave the line once to buy an autograph book and grab DH some free cookies and hot chocolate.







The Rapunzel Meet and Greet was one of the best meet and greets I have ever been to. Flynn and Rapunzel spent at least two minutes with each family. I talked to Flynn the whole time and he was stunned to silence when he asked me "you do know my name right?" and I said of course "Eugene" when he was expecting me to say "Flynn." I remembered his real name only because I watched the movie the night before. He was like "Sshhh don't tell anyone." It was very funny.


The castle was so amazing to look at. I took tons of pictures just of the castle.

We headed to our favorite parade spot in Frontierland. We enjoyed the parade, especially since we had no pushy people around us.









We did enjoy the party but I doubt we go back to WDW during Christmas. We much prefer the Halloween Parties. We would totally love it if WDW brought back the Pirate and Princess Parties. We absolutely loved those.

I think we stayed at the party until 11:30 and then we walked back to our room. Seriously it was so nice walking past the crowded bus stops and not having to get in those long lines.



One thing I noticed about the party...Disney made a killing selling sweatshirts, hats, blankets, and gloves. There were lots of t-shirt wearing guests who weren't expecting the weather to get colder and colder as the night wore on. I am so glad I decided to bring my winter coat. I think DH just wore a jacket but he is also never cold. I am sure he probably thought it was hot.

[dalepool]

Thank You for the laugh of the day----picture of the life vests

I laughed so hard I cried. Even as I write this I am wiping my eyes.

But bless his heart for trying. Ok back to reading report-- ya with tears and all.


Patty

[belle'ssister]

I've enjoyed your report and pictures, cruise and WDW. I can see why you took so many pictures of the castle. SO GORGEOUS!

[RadioFanatic]

I'm amazed how much the Flynn (eugene) you met looked like the Flynn from the movie!

[SmithFamily2003]

Another great update. Thanks for sharing your trip report.

[oviattfamily]

wow your stories are quite entertaining. Can you share with us if you experienced any rocking of the boat? Our trip is in 11 days and I am a little scared that the family might get motion sickness.

[missj1975]

Originally Posted by oviattfamily

wow your stories are quite entertaining. Can you share with us if you experienced any rocking of the boat? Our trip is in 11 days and I am a little scared that the family might get motion sickness.

We brought dramamine along but I never used it. We did feel rocking of the boat but only at dinner time. I thought it was the strangest thing to only notice it at dinner time but that was the only time we felt it. But the feeling quickly passed and we ate dinner no problem.