February 3rd, 2011: 3-NIGHT DREAM CRUISE (lots of pics!) - COMPLETED 3/3!

[KevieKev05]

Let me answer some questions that have come up! Keep the questions/comments coming! I love reading all of them!

And thanks to design_mom for answering one of the questions for me!

Originally Posted by MrsKP

Loving the report although I cannot believe you left Castaway Cay! I consider that place heaven on earth. Your pics bring back many good memories

I know, I know! We're crazy. We truly do LOVE Castaway Cay, though! We just really wanted more time on the ship since it was a 3-night cruise. Our next cruise (the EBTA) we plan to spend all day there before our 6 days at sea in a row, haha!

Originally Posted by praisehisname

I'm absolutely loving your report; thanks so much for taking the time to share!

You're welcome! I'm glad you're enjoying it!

Originally Posted by FlyingPegasus

Thanks for the wonderful report with all the great pictures. I am taking my very first cruise ever, on this ship in September.

I have a couple questions about the aquaduck. Are there a lot of stairs to climb to get on it? Does it let you off near where you get on?

I have mobility issues, but I am definitely going to ride this at least once. I just did not know how far apart the entrance and exit are, so that I could leave my wheelchair or scooter nearby.

I am also trying to decide if I want to bring a scooter or go with the regular wheelchair for this cruise. The scooter gives me more freedom, but I am thinking the regular chair will be needed for the shore excursions??

I know we do have an accessible cabin on deck 2, and I can't wait!!!!!!!!

Regarding the AquaDuck, essentially you're walking up stairs from the bottom of the funnel all the way up to the top (roughly 2 decks I would imagine). The exit is somewhat around the corner from where you start going up the stairs for the ride.

Originally Posted by klarlee

So glad you're back to feeling better! I've loved reading your TR and been checking daily for updates. Your pictures are THE BEST!!! With the Dream being a new ship, your pictures really help those of us never having set foot on it get a better visual. I'm so glad you included the food pics with food likes/dislikes. It's even helping me decide what to order! Thanks for sharing. We leave NEXT WEEK!!!

WOW! Thank you so much for your kind words! It means a lot! I'm glad I can help others in their planning process!

Originally Posted by twins4disney

Thanks for the awesome pics!

No prob! Thanks for reading!



I'm starting to work on the second (of 3) parts for the Castaway Cay day! Stay tuned!

[biggroofy]

I love reading your trip report. Nice pictures!

We are going in March. Wondering how was the debarkation process? On Magic/Wonder, we always skip the dining room breakfast and leave our stateroom around 8:15am, grab some quick breakfast at Topsider and get off the ship. We were always out at the port before 8:45am.

[lidec]

how are the prices on the souveniers, like tshirts and towels. I likes the castaway cay towel in your photo

[catdance23]

Loving your trip report. Thanks so much for taking the time!!!

[KevieKev05]

Originally Posted by biggroofy

I love reading your trip report. Nice pictures!

We are going in March. Wondering how was the debarkation process? On Magic/Wonder, we always skip the dining room breakfast and leave our stateroom around 8:15am, grab some quick breakfast at Topsider and get off the ship. We were always out at the port before 8:45am.

The debarkation process wasn't too bad. We went to our scheduled breakfast at 7:45 in Enchanted Garden, ate cereal and left. There wasn't a line to get off the ship...there was, however, a line to get through customs in the baggage terminal. Thankfully it kept moving, so it wasn't too bad.

Originally Posted by lidec

how are the prices on the souveniers, like tshirts and towels. I likes the castaway cay towel in your photo

I believe the t-shirts range from $19.95-$24.95. Not sure on the towels though.

Originally Posted by catdance23

Loving your trip report. Thanks so much for taking the time!!!

You're welcome! It's my pleasure!

[Dallas_Lady]

Great Trip report! I am definitely following along

Originally Posted by KevieKev05

We chilled for a second or two, then found our way back to the atrium to check out this “Princess Gathering” (six princesses! WOW!):

This right here is going to make the whole trip worth it for my daughter. I can't wait!!

[KevieKev05]

DAY 3 - February 5th, 2011 - Castaway Cay (Part 2)

We entered Cabanas to find it practically deserted! (Not too surprising...everyone was on the island!) Naturally, I snapped some photos!









We were seated right by the window. (Good view of the island!)



Did you notice the window all cracked?! Here’s a close up:



Once we were settled, we went up to the buffet to fill up a plate! Dessert anyone?



We enjoyed yet another scrumptious meal. I must say, I really do enjoy dining at Cabanas!

Our dessert plate:


On our way out, I made sure to take some more pictures (are we surprised?! Haha).













So let’s see. We left the island early. We rode the AquaDuck. We had lunch. What should we do? Why go exploring of course! There’s always SOMETHING to see on this huge, beautiful ship! We had Palo reserved for tonight...why not go check out that area?? And so we did. On the benefit cruise, we were able to walk through Palo, but the doors to Remy were not unlocked at the time we were exploring the area. Could we get into Remy this time?

I like the decor of the area/elevator lobby outside Palo/Remy/Meridian:



The podium to check in for dinner:


Looks like maintenance was doing some work inside Palo! Better get it done before dinner tonight!


Remy/Palo menus:




Next, we walked through Meridian (the lounge/bar in between Palo and Remy).



There was a door leading to an outdoor area outside Meridian, so outside we went!



Back inside Meridian:



Nature was calling, so we went to the bathroom real fast (back by the elevator lobby/stairwell). We opened the door and our jaws dropped! Look how beautiful the BATHROOM is!

[KevieKev05]

Then, we went back towards Remy and oh my gosh! The door was unlocked! Do we sneak in and have a look around? OF COURSE!





















Next, we decided to head outside to Goofy’s Sports Deck area. Here’s some of the artwork in the elevator lobby before heading outside (appropriately themed):





Clock/basketball court:




Different angle of the AquaDuck:


No one was at the mini-golf course, so we played a round! We had fun and goofed off (get it? “Goof”ed off!)...definitely worth checking out. Disney did a good job adding this!

Before long, we found our way heading back toward the atrium. As we walked past the Vista Cafe, I saw they had chocolate covered strawberries for the taking! I am a HUGE sucker for these. Thankfully, between here and the Quiet Cove Cafe, I was able to get one (or two) each day of the cruise!



DVC desk:


Port Adventures desk:


And then we went back to our room for a hot second, and got depressed when we saw this:



We looked through the Navigator and we saw that “Making of the Dream” was being shown in the Buena Vista Theatre at 2:30pm. A movie all about the making of the Dream? Okay! Sounds right up our alley! So, off we went!

Fun picture along the way:


Inside the Buena Vista Theatre:






It wasn’t long before we realized that this wasn’t going to be a movie. Rather, it was going to be a sort of presentation. There were maybe 50 people at most in the theatre. Sure enough, a member of the cruise staff pretty much gave us a PowerPoint presentation about the making of the Dream. I must say, there wasn’t much we didn’t already know and I felt like I was in a college lecture all over again. The guy did a GREAT job presenting it, but I just wasn’t in the mood for a “lecture.” One thing he did say stuck with both of us, though. You know that LONG hallway going away from the atrium towards Animator’s Palate? The hallway that runs alongside the Royal Palace? Well, there are “sketches” of Disney princesses all along the hallway. These sketches are meant to connect the space between to two restaurants together. Get it? Princesses (Royal Palace) in their sketch form (Animator’s Palate). Pretty neat, eh? They think of everything!

After the riveting “presentation”, more wandering ensued. I didn’t get a chance to take a picture of the Luigi’s menu and station, so I snapped some photos at this point.





And, back to the room we went to relax before “Disney’s Believe” at 5:00. We turned on “D2: The Mighty Ducks” in hopes of finishing it before the show. (Almost made it, too!)

TO BE CONTINUED!

[akluss]

Thanks for more of the report, I am really enjoying it. Remy looks so elegant, I'm glad you were able to sneak in. Karyn

[jerelle]

This report is FABULOUS!!!!

I LOVE all the pictures and you have really captured your cruise in word form. I feel like I've been on the Dream! YAY! Can't wait until we book for 2013!!!

Thank you,

Joelle

[lucy0558]

You're a great writer and your detail photos let us know what a fan you are of all things Disney. What an awesome TR. Thank you so much for taking us along!

[disneymagicgirl]

This is a great report. Looking forward to the rest!

[GoofTroop716]

My family and I are LOVING your Trip Report. Thank you so much for taking the time to post and narrate your cruise!

[FJS961]

Love the report and pics!

I just noticed a piece of trivia - hidden detail. Your pic of 'Filmore' the hippy van from Cars voiced by the late great George Carlin. His license plate: 51237 is a nod to Carlins birthday, 5/12/37
dig it?

[disneymagicgirl]

Originally Posted by FJS961

Love the report and pics!

I just noticed a piece of trivia - hidden detail. Your pic of 'Filmore' the hippy van from Cars voiced by the late great George Carlin. His license plate: 51237 is a nod to Carlins birthday, 5/12/37
dig it?

good observation
...and I observed that you have a whole lot of $$ tied up in cruise deposits...jealous!