camom3
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2006
Here are my thoughts and memories of our vacation. I travelled from Los Angeles with my DH, DD12, DD10 & DD6. After reading these boards for a month I had very, very high expectations and I would say that my expectations were more than met. In fact, this was our best vacation ever!
We arrived at Orlando on Thursday the 23rd. We arrived early to get used to the time change. We were met at the airport by Dennis of Lorden Transportation. His car was beautiful and he was so nice. It was a great introduction to Florida.
We arrived at Ron Jon's for a 2 night stay. Ron Jon's is very clean and nice. However, the beds and pillows are the hardest that I have ever slept on and would never stay there again for that reason only. That is the only reason that I wouldn't stay there again. We had to do the time-share tour on Friday. They are not high pressure, however, I was amazed at how many people are taking the tour and signing up right then and there.
On Saturday we arrived at the terminal at 11:00. I got the wristband for my DD6 right away before the line increased. Since were in a Concierge suite we were able to board right at 11:45. We headed straight for the Concierge meet in Sessions. They had juice, cookies and sandwiches. We met our concierge Dania from Italy. After we set up a few things, off to Parrot Cay. The food at lunch was very good.
I snuck up to the room to decorate the door. The door was open, but I did not go in because I wanted to be surprised with the rest of the family. After I decorated the door, I found my family and went back to our room. It was beyond amazing. We waited 2 years for that room, so I knew it would be nice.
On the master bed were the sand toys and tote bag that I had ordered from Shirley. She really does an amazing job. My DD12 & DD10 play the piano, but the piano is very out of tune.
After the fire drill we headed up to Deck 10 for the Dis meet. Quite a few of us had lime green braclets.
Our dining rotation was LAP (early seating). I wish I would have changed it so we wouldn't have formal night in Parrot Cay. The first night we met our servers, Wis and Ian. They were very nice and it startled me the first time Ian cut my daughter's food.
Before Key West, we had brunch in Palo. It was amazing. The food, the view and the service were amazing.
Key West - My daughter's did not enjoy the town and wanted to get back on board right away. My husband rented a scooter and enjoyed the day. That night was very rough. It didn't appear rough, but it is the under current that really rocks you.
Day at Sea - My two oldest made fast friends on the ship and hung out with them all day. I took my youngest to the afternoon showing of the Golden Mickey's. It was great. That night we took a picture with the Captain and headed to Parrot Cay for dinner. My husband was in a tux and we were all dressed up. It was a little disappointing in that there was a boy at the table next to us in shorts. I was surprised at how undressed people were at Parrot Cay. I left dinner early - uh oh I think I'm seasick.
My husband took the girls to the Golden Mickey"s and I missed my youngest say, "Welcome to the Golden Mickey's".
Grand Cayman - We had an Island tour and Stringray City Snorkel scheduled through DCL. Since we had to be downstairs by 7:30 a.m., I decided to sleep in with my youngest. Most of the DCL Stringray tours were cancelled that day due to rough seas. My family's tour just made the Stringray portion before they began cancelling them. They loved the turtle farm and Stringray City. I met them onshore and we had lunch at Hard Rock.
That night I ordered chocolate souffles from Palo to our room and they were so good. After that ordering souffles became a nightly ritual.
Costa Maya - My husband and daughter went on the DCL Ruins tour. Again, they loved it. The only complaint was that the tour guide talked too much. I took my girls to town and really liked Costa Maya.
That night my middle daughter lost a tooth. Sharon our stateroom hostess, put the tooth in the middle of the bed and put pixie dust around the tooth and left her a tinkerbell pin. It was very special.
Day at Sea - My middle daughter woke up seasick. My other girls went and got braids. Boy does it hurt! I had arranged with the Concierge to have Palo high tea in our room with my girls since I didn't have anyone else to go with. I had to cancel since DD10 didn't feel well. We also had Palo reservations that night. My husband went and I orded Palo back in the room. It was great because I didn't look like a pig in public. I had bread, salad, lobster, chicken stuffed with shrimp scampi, a souflle and a sweet pizza. At least I was able to be a pig in private.
Castaway Cay - I couldn't believe that there were characters everywhere. It was amazing. We got off the ship late (big mistake). We had a banana boat ride at 11:00 and after that went to look for chairs. Oh my gosh, I read on the boards to get right off and I didn't listen. Never again. Next time I'm right off the boat if I expect to get any shade.
Believe it or not, my only complaint on the cruise was the pool chairs. I saw people putting towels, etc. on the chairs at 6:30 in the morning and go back to their rooms. Very rude.
Reading these boards I thought I'd have a good time, but I thought it can't be as magical as everyone says. Well I was wrong. It was amazing.
Thanks for letting me share.
We arrived at Orlando on Thursday the 23rd. We arrived early to get used to the time change. We were met at the airport by Dennis of Lorden Transportation. His car was beautiful and he was so nice. It was a great introduction to Florida.
We arrived at Ron Jon's for a 2 night stay. Ron Jon's is very clean and nice. However, the beds and pillows are the hardest that I have ever slept on and would never stay there again for that reason only. That is the only reason that I wouldn't stay there again. We had to do the time-share tour on Friday. They are not high pressure, however, I was amazed at how many people are taking the tour and signing up right then and there.
On Saturday we arrived at the terminal at 11:00. I got the wristband for my DD6 right away before the line increased. Since were in a Concierge suite we were able to board right at 11:45. We headed straight for the Concierge meet in Sessions. They had juice, cookies and sandwiches. We met our concierge Dania from Italy. After we set up a few things, off to Parrot Cay. The food at lunch was very good.
I snuck up to the room to decorate the door. The door was open, but I did not go in because I wanted to be surprised with the rest of the family. After I decorated the door, I found my family and went back to our room. It was beyond amazing. We waited 2 years for that room, so I knew it would be nice.
On the master bed were the sand toys and tote bag that I had ordered from Shirley. She really does an amazing job. My DD12 & DD10 play the piano, but the piano is very out of tune.
After the fire drill we headed up to Deck 10 for the Dis meet. Quite a few of us had lime green braclets.
Our dining rotation was LAP (early seating). I wish I would have changed it so we wouldn't have formal night in Parrot Cay. The first night we met our servers, Wis and Ian. They were very nice and it startled me the first time Ian cut my daughter's food.
Before Key West, we had brunch in Palo. It was amazing. The food, the view and the service were amazing.
Key West - My daughter's did not enjoy the town and wanted to get back on board right away. My husband rented a scooter and enjoyed the day. That night was very rough. It didn't appear rough, but it is the under current that really rocks you.
Day at Sea - My two oldest made fast friends on the ship and hung out with them all day. I took my youngest to the afternoon showing of the Golden Mickey's. It was great. That night we took a picture with the Captain and headed to Parrot Cay for dinner. My husband was in a tux and we were all dressed up. It was a little disappointing in that there was a boy at the table next to us in shorts. I was surprised at how undressed people were at Parrot Cay. I left dinner early - uh oh I think I'm seasick.
My husband took the girls to the Golden Mickey"s and I missed my youngest say, "Welcome to the Golden Mickey's".
Grand Cayman - We had an Island tour and Stringray City Snorkel scheduled through DCL. Since we had to be downstairs by 7:30 a.m., I decided to sleep in with my youngest. Most of the DCL Stringray tours were cancelled that day due to rough seas. My family's tour just made the Stringray portion before they began cancelling them. They loved the turtle farm and Stringray City. I met them onshore and we had lunch at Hard Rock.
That night I ordered chocolate souffles from Palo to our room and they were so good. After that ordering souffles became a nightly ritual.
Costa Maya - My husband and daughter went on the DCL Ruins tour. Again, they loved it. The only complaint was that the tour guide talked too much. I took my girls to town and really liked Costa Maya.
That night my middle daughter lost a tooth. Sharon our stateroom hostess, put the tooth in the middle of the bed and put pixie dust around the tooth and left her a tinkerbell pin. It was very special.
Day at Sea - My middle daughter woke up seasick. My other girls went and got braids. Boy does it hurt! I had arranged with the Concierge to have Palo high tea in our room with my girls since I didn't have anyone else to go with. I had to cancel since DD10 didn't feel well. We also had Palo reservations that night. My husband went and I orded Palo back in the room. It was great because I didn't look like a pig in public. I had bread, salad, lobster, chicken stuffed with shrimp scampi, a souflle and a sweet pizza. At least I was able to be a pig in private.
Castaway Cay - I couldn't believe that there were characters everywhere. It was amazing. We got off the ship late (big mistake). We had a banana boat ride at 11:00 and after that went to look for chairs. Oh my gosh, I read on the boards to get right off and I didn't listen. Never again. Next time I'm right off the boat if I expect to get any shade.
Believe it or not, my only complaint on the cruise was the pool chairs. I saw people putting towels, etc. on the chairs at 6:30 in the morning and go back to their rooms. Very rude.
Reading these boards I thought I'd have a good time, but I thought it can't be as magical as everyone says. Well I was wrong. It was amazing.
Thanks for letting me share.
.
Of course, it doesnt have the same effect if the towels belong to Disney!
The day i called was lucky someone had to cancel and the Roy Disney Suite opened up and I grabbed it. Booked June 05 for May 06 cruise but was told they usually go years in advance. DCL does have waitlist for suites if you are flexible with dates you might get lucky too. 
