Here's a quick TR from our weekend (I also posted this on the Aug. board)
We had a great time on our cruise, and it was such a great Disney fix! Everything went perfectly except our inbound flight, which was delayed because of weather. But it was ok....all we were going to do was head to our room at the Hyatt MCO and sleep until morning. We got in around 2 am and the very nice Hyatt people upgraded us to a suite, which was enormous and had three bathrooms, which was heaven sent since we were going to be operating on much less sleep than we thought - having three bathrooms for the morning was a great time saver! We used the luggage transfer service, so we tagged our bags (like you do for DME) and left them in our room and crossed our fingers we'd see them on the ship It's funny because just reading the QOTD about DME, I never worried about missing luggage with them...figured they'd get it to me eventually. But if the bags missed the ship, that would be a problem!
Anyway, it all went fine - they arrived safe and sound and early! So we headed off to have breakfast and at about 9:50 got on line for the bus. We got to the port around 11:00, used the
Castaway Club check-in line, which had no wait, and walked on the ship. We had a PAT of 11:00-11:30 and were boarding group 3. So when people tell you you are an obsessive planner, just smile and know you are doing a good thing - getting up at midnight 90 days prior to check-in and request an early boarding time worked! We had the pool deck to ourselves for quite a while!
We had lunch, checked out the kids' clubs, rode the aquaduck, swam and then got ready for dinner. We saw the Golden Mickeys and then ate at the Enchanted Garden.
In Nassau, we did a walking tour that I had printed from a google search. It turned out to be a great experience. Back on board we had massages, the boys went off and did their thing - sometimes in the Edge and Vibe clubs, sometimes on their own. Dinner was at the Royal Palace that night and was wonderful (actually all the food was amazing - much better than other cruise lines). This was also pirate night and we had a great time with Jack Sparrow! The pirate party was fun and the fireworks were fantastic!
The next morning we hit Castaway Cay. My DW, DS 12 and I ran the 5k, which was fun! It was also hot and I normally don't eat or drink like I'm on a cruise the night before I run lol, but it was still all good. The weather was perfect, and we had such a great time on CC. We relaxed, swam, the boys snorkled, played soccer, enjoyed Pelican Plunge and then we all did the sting ray experience. It was such a perfect day. That night we were at Animator's Palate and celebrated DS (now 17)'s bday. He celebrated his 4th birthday at AP on the Wonder and now his 17th at AP on Dream. It was very sweet Before dinner we saw Believe and were all piles of Disney mush by the end
The next morning disembarkation was a breeze after breakfast and we took the Budget shuttle to get our car. This was also a breeze as there was no one on line when we got there. We headed to DTD and were walking in by 11:00 (we had 8:00 breakfast and disembarked around 9, so not bad time wise). We were soooooooo excited to be on Disney property We hit the West Side and walked and shopped our way back. Then we ate at T-Rex (no ADR, just walked up). Ok, this was a first and a last I don't know if I'm just getting old or my kids have grown up a bit from their Rainforest days, but wow, it was LOUD. The food was very good though. And if you have younger kids into dinosaurs, it's fantastic! Just not for me anymore
After I decided a nice quiet boat ride would be in order. We took the boat to POFQ, just to enhance my happiness . We walked around, had beignets at the food court and then took the boat back and finished shopping in the MP. Oh, and speaking of shopping, I am in TROUBLE. Serious trouble. I think on our last trip I had been so many times in a short period that the merchandise was a little tired to me. But now it's been a couple of years and there's new stuff out there and I want it all I did splurge on the cruise and got a Dooney bag and a chamilia charm for my bracelet. So at DTD I was good - just a t-shirt and mug, but my boys got our Mother's Day gifts that day, so I made out well ;-).
We headed back to MCO, returned the car and got ready to head home. It was a quick trip, but so well worth it. The boys are ECSTATIC for our August trip now - they were excited but hadn't gotten really into the planning. Now they are all about it - should make for a fun summer of anticipation! I'm so glad I decided to do it!
Here's a link to my Photobucket album if anyone wants to see pics:
http://s1279.photobucket.com/user/cc...0Cruise 2013
, the new discounts are being released supposedly on Thursday for the end of August, and I will be on a boat (a Disney one mind you) unable to contact civilization in order to get my Poly discount for August!! Ahhhhhhh....1st world problems, I know. I did put in an email to my TA this morning asking her to take care of it, but I won't be able to be in touch if she has any questions. And because these current discount offers are so slim, I'm hoping they don't sell out fast. 
But I just got caught up!
