A long time ago on a Fantasy far far away...Feb 2016 SWDAS TR, 5/17 CRUISE EPILOGUE - The End!

[chunkymonkey]

Oh, darn!!! I read your update last week, but it looks like I didn't comment.

The costume show was great- I love your video. Very funny!

Haha, thanks!

I noticed the couple in the black t-shirts with yellow lettering in one of your pictures. "I love you." "I know"

They are so funny! We saw a couple of people wearing them on the cruise, and also a few times at WDW!

The Taun-Taun rider cracked me up!

Super funny! I hadn't seen one of those before!

I love that you got a snack prior to dinner! Great idea to split the burger.

It was good and if we weren't going to eat dinner in an hour I'd probably have eaten a whole one.

Congrats on booking a cruise (to nowhere). I'll be interested in hearing what itinerary you ultimately pick.

Haha you and me both! I wish DCL would hurry up and release the rest of 2017 already!

Very cute dress!!! Where is that one from?

I believe I got it from heruniverse.com - it's cute but they run really small! Mine barely covered my behind, hence the need for leggings.

I want to meet a Jawa. They are so cute. And greedy!

They are naughty little fellas...

Thank for sharing the photos and descriptions of your wonderful meal at AP.

Aparently, they should have changed the name of Lord Vader's steak to "Chewie" steak. It looked bad!

Everything else looked better. The 'shroom steak sounds unusual but interesting. The princess leia pudding was adorable!!

Yup, the steak was really chewie. I'm sure if they brought us another steak it would have been better, but I think DH was over the steak and just wanted some fish. his replacement entree was good though!

I still remember this from our first cruise 25 years ago. Our server's name was Medic and he told us he was lucky because his wife and children lived in Miami so he was able to see them once a week for a few hours while the ship was in port, turning over passengers.

I know working on a cruise ship is a great opportunity for them, but it really helps me remember how fortunate we are.

Yeah totally. It's crazy how much time they spend apart...up to 7 months or even a whole year! I feel very lucky we get to cruise let alone cruise on DCL!

Great update! The food reviews and update were perfect - and as a result, I have changed what I planned to order for SWDAS dinner, all the way around! LOL! I would have avoided the cheese soufflé, since I am weird and don't like apples with my cheese generally, but based on your comments and the fact that the apples do not appear to overwhelm the dish, I am totally going to order that - as well as the empanadas! I love, love, LOVE cheese - would eat it for every meal of the day if I could. That shroom steak sounds good as well, and I'm going to try the warm apricot pudding - it is worth it just for those cute cookie buns. Thank you so much for the update this morning. Just fantastic!

LOL, the souffle had apples on the top of it so you can probably ask for them to leave it on the side or leave it off altogether. The empanadas were wonderul! They were cute little bite-sized pastries and the chimichurri was a nice accompaniment. Reminds me of the empanada we had last year in Carioca's on the Magic but the one we had last year was much bigger so you were only served one. And of course they weren't bantha empanadas.
Less than a week until your cruise! Sooo excited to hear about your experiences!

Oh I love Ewoks! My husband says I have a 'thing' for them and calls me a furry....

Hahaha that's really funny. Ewoks are so cute!

Is it ok that the Jawa's totally freak me out? Like, if I'd seen one on board I think I would have started to panic He took your phone and took a selfie, oh my gosh, too much!!

They are rather intimidating because they are so sketchy...you never know what they are up to, plus those glowing eyes, Hahaha.

Those menus look super fancy!! Dinner looked lovely, that princess leia dessert takes the cake (pun intended)!

Haha good one!

That's because it's AWESOME!

i've already watched the dvd twice and watched all the extras and bonus features...I'm obsessed!

Oh nooooooo!

Yup...sad...don't worry it's ok later, I promise!

Love it!

thanks!

I love these guys.

BAHAHA! That's awesome!

Yup now I have a few Jawa selfies. He wouldn't stop pressing the button!

This sounds super yummy!

Yup, it was delicious!

HOW ADORABLE!!!

It was such a cute dessert!

 

[soniam]

I just have to say great pictures and descriptions and thanks for making me long for our cruise, if Disney ever releases the rest of the 2017 schedule Your servers were awesome. It's great that they paid attention to little details, like your DH not eating his steak.

I personally like the second version of "I love you... I know" better: the one where they are in front of the bunker and Han sees Leia hiding a blaster and says "I love you", and Leia says "I know", but that's just me

 

[BlvInMagic]

Your Millennium Falcon dress is absolutely adorable! You and CS have the best Disney vacation apparel

 

[TigerTown]

At our tables we were greeted with the most awesome looking menu! It was heavy and shiny, the best-looking menu I've seen on board! My sister, who works in custom-printing said this type of print is very expensive to make - so I guess that's why they didn't let anyone take them home. Also don't be surprised of Disney reuses them for next year's Star Wars Day at Sea!!

​

Those menus were incredible! We tried to snag one for a souvenir but they weren't having any of it

The bread tonight was a marbled bread with red pepper dip. The marbled bread was kinda green, which regularly may not seem too appetizing, but on Star Wars night, you just think it's Yoda-colored so all was good. ​

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You are much braver than I am because I couldn't eat it at all. It looked too much like mold

The steak ended up being tough and chewy, so DH didn't eat that much of it. Our servers saw that and asked if he would like something else instead. So DH got the Grilled Bounty Hunter Fish Filet (swordfish) which was much much better and actually really good.

​

I had the exact same problem and ended up ordering the Crispy Chicken which was actually pretty good.

 

[Dentam]

I love your dress - super cute!

Not sure on the green bread... hmm... but everything else looked pretty good! Love the Princess Leia dessert - very creative!

This cruise looks like so much more fun than the one I took a few years ago on RC. So much more to do on this one! Can't wait to see the fireworks!

 

[KathyM2]

Great update!! I think the desserts looked fantastic lol...as did all the food. The salads especially...I think I would make a meal out of salads and desserts! I love the way they themed the restaurant too.

 

[Ajojo]

Wow, I love looking at the food! I would totally choose all those. I cant wait! Only 2 more working days before we leave for the last 2016 SWDAS

We will be celebrating 2 birthdays and decided against Star Wars night, mainly because we want to enjoy the Star Wars menus and would be too full for birthday cake. Cant wait to read how your birthday cake tastes

 

[chunkymonkey]

I just have to say great pictures and descriptions and thanks for making me long for our cruise, if Disney ever releases the rest of the 2017 schedule Your servers were awesome. It's great that they paid attention to little details, like your DH not eating his steak.

Yeah they have always been very attentive to things like that. Also I think it helps them with their rating at the end of the cruise...they want you to like the food because that usually translates into better dining ratings so they will do everything possible to make sure you get what you want. I think they always tend to recommend the dish that is the most consistent.

I personally like the second version of "I love you... I know" better: the one where they are in front of the bunker and Han sees Leia hiding a blaster and says "I love you", and Leia says "I know", but that's just me

That's a good scene too

Your Millennium Falcon dress is absolutely adorable! You and CS have the best Disney vacation apparel

Thank you!! I do have a separate wardrobe of all disney/star wars items that I pull out during our WDW vacations!

Those menus were incredible! We tried to snag one for a souvenir but they weren't having any of it

Yup, us too!

You are much braver than I am because I couldn't eat it at all. It looked too much like mold

I didn't mind it but it didn't actually taste like anything. Its like on St. Patty's day whey then dye everything green. I just pretend they used food coloring.

I had the exact same problem and ended up ordering the Crispy Chicken which was actually pretty good.

Yeah the steak was disappointing. But the chicken was good!

I love your dress - super cute!

Thank you!

Not sure on the green bread... hmm... but everything else looked pretty good! Love the Princess Leia dessert - very creative!

Yeah most people were not having the green bread...they should have made it blue since they didn't have any blue milk.

This cruise looks like so much more fun than the one I took a few years ago on RC. So much more to do on this one! Can't wait to see the fireworks!

It was a great cruise and there was tons to do. I felt like we were very active on this cruise, I would have liked a little more downtime!

Great update!! I think the desserts looked fantastic lol...as did all the food. The salads especially...I think I would make a meal out of salads and desserts! I love the way they themed the restaurant too.

It was a really fun meal! The salads were great. Our restaurant happened to have the logo up on the screen but the other 2 dining rooms, Enchanted garden and Royal Court didn't have any Star Wars decor. So that's why I recommend Animator's Palate for Star Wars Day at Sea.

Wow, I love looking at the food! I would totally choose all those. I cant wait! Only 2 more working days before we leave for the last 2016 SWDAS

Have a great trip! I want to hear all about your experience!!!

We will be celebrating 2 birthdays and decided against Star Wars night, mainly because we want to enjoy the Star Wars menus and would be too full for birthday cake. Cant wait to read how your birthday cake tastes

Good idea! Everyone else will be celebrating birthdays on that night anyways so it'll be more special on another night!

 

[soniam]

DCL released Summer 2017 itineraries. They are not available for booking yet. Tomorrow for Gold+ CC members, and the huddled masses Thursday Here's a link.

http://disneycruiselineblog.com/201...ounces-summer-2017-itineraries-may-september/

 

[chunkymonkey]

DCL released Summer 2017 itineraries. They are not available for booking yet. Tomorrow for Gold+ CC members, and the huddled masses Thursday Here's a link.

http://disneycruiselineblog.com/201...ounces-summer-2017-itineraries-may-september/

I saw!! I am really excited. I think I was hoping for something in Sept/Oct/Nov though as that is generally when we like to travel. But I'll ask my agent about pricing. I'm still pretty sure I can't afford the Alaska cruise on a balcony cabin though...waaaaah.

 

[soniam]

I saw!! I am really excited. I think I was hoping for something in Sept/Oct/Nov though as that is generally when we like to travel. But I'll ask my agent about pricing. I'm still pretty sure I can't afford the Alaska cruise on a balcony cabin though...waaaaah.

I know. It's a bummer that they only released summer. We are stuck with school holidays because of DS, so we are looking at Summer 2017. I want to do Alaska sometime too. I hadn't looked at DCL prices though, because I fear it I know you generally like DCL, but you might consider another one, like RCCL. The prices are typically half of DCL. I feel the service and food are great too. However, nothing beats Remy

 

[Disneyducks12]

So I am just joining in on all the fun and I have to say the star wars day looks AMAZING! That is one of the cruises I have really wanted to do and your costume looked so great and so did you DH! I am loving following along. Me and my best friend are doing a cruise on the fantasy and a stay at WDW this August and it will be her first time so I will have to show her your post that see adults can have lots of fun at Disney! anyways can't wait for the next update!

 

[chunkymonkey]

I know. It's a bummer that they only released summer. We are stuck with school holidays because of DS, so we are looking at Summer 2017. I want to do Alaska sometime too. I hadn't looked at DCL prices though, because I fear it I know you generally like DCL, but you might consider another one, like RCCL. The prices are typically half of DCL. I feel the service and food are great too. However, nothing beats Remy

I know, I wish I could like a different line, but in general I don't think I am a cruiser, I prefer land vacations. I only love DCL because of the characters and Disney shows, the pixie dust etc. So combine that with a place I want to visit (Alaska) I think it'll be great! And yes, Remy...sigh. I miss it!

So I am just joining in on all the fun and I have to say the star wars day looks AMAZING! That is one of the cruises I have really wanted to do and your costume looked so great and so did you DH! I am loving following along. Me and my best friend are doing a cruise on the fantasy and a stay at WDW this August and it will be her first time so I will have to show her your post that see adults can have lots of fun at Disney! anyways can't wait for the next update!

Hi and welcome! Thank you for reading! Thank you for the kind comments! We had such a great time. We've been touring WDW and DCL as adults for quite some time and we always have the most fun. I think your friend will have a blast. You have beautiful wedding pics BTW, how amazing that you got married on the Fantasy!

 

[chunkymonkey]

Star Wars Day at Sea
Day 5 Part 6: Summon the Force...Galactic Fireworks at Sea and a midnight Star Wars buffet!

Since we had late seating, we were up on deck a lot later than we thought we should have but surprisingly it was not that crowded (yet). I think because it was cold and windy that people were waiting until the last moment to arrive. Although those who were up there were having a good time listening to Star Wars tunes and the kids were having a blast with a group lightsaber battle!

We were brave and went up to Deck 10 portside despite the wind because I wanted a prime viewing location. I didn't care that we were not front and center for the show because I was here to see the fireworks! We had a great location right next to the railing. We took some fresh towels and wrapped ourselves in them because it was cold!

I'm glad we brought out our warm hoodies!

Here's a little video of the evening right as we got to our viewing location:

I had a great time people watching...and oh look! Lando Calrissian made an appearance!

Here's the deck as it got more and more crowded:

And then it suddenly got really really crowded. I'm so happy we got a spot. If the weather had been better I'm sure we would have to come a little earlier so I'm actually relieved it was a little chilly because our late seating would have prevented us from getting this prime spot.

And the show begins!!

JJ Abrams came on to talk a little bit about the Force for Change charity.

And then the show begins! You could feel the excitement in the air!

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away...

Woo hoo!!

The show on the stage was really just an introduction of the characters from the saga. They played clips from all the episodes before they introduced the characters.

Darth Vader:

Darth Maul:

C3PO and Tuskan Raiders:

Zam Wesell and R2D2:

Chewie!

Captain Phasma:
(They didn't show her clip just one of various dark lords, in this case it was Kylo Ren)

At the end the brought out all the characters on stage and then it led into the fireworks!

Here's the show leading into the fireworks and then the entire fireworks itself! Sorry if I was not pointing the camera directly at it since I was paying more attention to watching the fireworks rather than the camera!

I told you we had a great view. They were right in front of us and it was amazing!

Immediately after the fireworks the DJ continued with remixed Star Wars tunes for about a half hour. It was fun although it was cold!

We had to decide what to do now. Should we head to the late buffet or go to the superfan trivia? We decided we would check out the buffet since, well it is food. So after enjoying the DJ for a bit we headed over to Cabanas!

Of course it is crowded when they first opened the doors, but don't worry just bypass the crowd on one side and go to the other side, they have the same food on both sides of Cabanas but everyone follows the pack and they enter from one side only.

So there was some feedback posted about the decor at the midnight buffet not being that themed. I actually thought they did a great job considering they had to turn around Cabanas very quickly after the dinner crowd. Wanna know something? The decor in Cabanas beat out the Symphony in the Stars dessert party at Hollywood Studios for their fireworks show. I counted only two stormtroopers in the entire dessert party as the only decor. And we had to pay extra for that party! Anyways, decor aside, there wasn't really any themed food except for a few items like burgers and the desserts in Cabanas.

I wasn't there to eat since I was still full from dinner so I spent a lot of time taking pictures and video of Cabanas.

Look, more sith buns! These were pulled pork sandwiches.

Looks like a Tie Fighter is guarding all these rolls!

Here's a Cabana's walkthough I did on video:

I wasn't hungry but I did get some deconstructed Nachos though. Because they were in front of me and they looked good!

CS had fun with the dessert crepes!

And we see carbonite Han make an appearance again! This time on something very scruffy and nerf herder-like: strawberry shortcake.

Boy was it a looong day! Star Wars Day at Sea was officially over! We had such a blast today and we still have another Star Wars meet n greet tomorrow!

If I had to provide feedback for SWDAS, I'd say, spread it out over two days! There were things we didn't get to do, like watch Trials of the Temple and go to superfan trivia. My sister couldn't' even make it to the Star Wars 101 sessions. I think two days would have been perfect so that we can spread things out a bit and not cram it into one day. But I guess then it wouldn't be called Star Wars DAY at Sea. Hehehe. Hey if there were a Star Wars Week at Sea, sign me up!

Coming up on Day 6...a meeting with the Dark side, some princesses, and brunch at Palo! Another amazing day at sea! Stay tuned...
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[soniam]

The show and fireworks look great. I got the nachos on our cruise too I miss the elaborate midnight buffets that they had on RCCL. DCL is okay but the food and food art never wowed me. Ah man, your cruise is almost over

 

[bcwife76]

You had a fantastic view of the fireworks!!!!

Those desserts are so cute!

Looks like they REALLY got into the Starwars theme that night, so awesome!

 

[hjones78]

I'm all caught up. I love all of this! I've never been on a cruise or thought I would want to but after reading this I think it would be great.

Also I am a new Star Wars fan. My son and husband recently made me watch all the old ones so I could see the new one. I love it and I am in love with all of this. I loved the part of the Jedi mind trick in the elevator. Every time we go to a store with automatic doors my son has to use his Jedi powers to open them for us.

Your costume was great! So pretty!

 

[disneyguy4life]

What a fun day. I would totally go on the cruise even if it was one day. I agree more events over two days would have been beter. I love a good buffet and that looked soooo good. But i haven't eaten breakfast yet sooooo i am extremely hungry at this point. Lol.

 

[dmlovullo]

Star Wars day at sea looked like so much fun! Loved your costumes and CS's dress was awesome as well! Loved those menu's at Animators Palate. Such a fund idea to create the theme everywhere, all day long. Which is what Disney is really good at! I would love to do a SWDAS! Everyone walking around in their costumes looked like an event in itself. Glad you enjoyed every moment of it!

 

[BlvInMagic]

Wow... SWDAS was definitely action packed for your guys! The late night buffet looks AMAMZING....oh my goodness! I think I gained 5 lbs just looking at all that food...lol. I love how they themed out the area to incorporate the Star Wars theme. And I totally agree, it looks way more themed than the Star Wars Dessert Party that they have at HS. Great update