„Did you feel pressured to provide only EXCELLENT ratings?“

[dizneeat]

I'm so glad I found your other report. Love your trip reports.
Wow those are nice views from the GF. We are thinking of renting DVC points for our next WDW vacation. I might consider the GF.

Yeah! I am glad you found it, too!
The view from the GF was really wonderful. Point amount is high for the VGF and there are not too many units, but if you can get a studio there, I am sure you are going to love it.

Hi Karin
I had a lot to catch up on!
Great photos from the GFV or is it VGF
We aren't fans of the GF and I can't imagine I could convince Philip to stay there but the rooms look beautiful
Love the photos and view from the veranda - what a perfect way to start the day

Hi Linda!
I am glad you are all caught up again. I had actually thought to be able to update more while Tom is gone, but I did not get very far.
Like you I don't care for the GF, but the Villas are totally different, we loved it there and had a perfect morning and breakfast.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

I'm finally caught up, yay! The food on your flight looked so tasty, the best I've received in years was a dried up sandwich, & was lucky to get that!

The villas are so pretty, I've wanted to stay at GF since it first opened, maybe in a couple of years. No trip to WDW this year, I'm already sorry I didn't make any plans.

Love those Krispy Kremes, we have them here, but only in the grocery stores.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

All caught up! Love the food on the plane. Love the room at the Villas. Hate all the lines, but you made it through ok.

Love the warm Krispy Kremes, would love one now. No trip to Disney this year & I'm bummed about it. We do need to see some more of America first.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

We did not decide on anything here in Europe. Funnily enough the European itineraries don't tickle our fancy that much. I mean I can fly to Norway in less than two hours from Vienna. So, we have decided on cruises in warmer climate again.

Yeah, planning a trip for Star Wars weekend. AWESOME!!!! The kids are going to love it.

I totally understand your wanting to sail more exotic waters! I always say if I'm going to spend that much money on a vacation, I want to be warm, and I want to be on a lounge chair with an umbrella drink in my hand!

The boys will be so thrilled with SWW! I think we should surprise them with "May the 4th be With You" Day!

 

[dizneeat]

I'm finally caught up, yay! The food on your flight looked so tasty, the best I've received in years was a dried up sandwich, & was lucky to get that!

The villas are so pretty, I've wanted to stay at GF since it first opened, maybe in a couple of years. No trip to WDW this year, I'm already sorry I didn't make any plans.

Love those Krispy Kremes, we have them here, but only in the grocery stores.

All caught up! Love the food on the plane. Love the room at the Villas. Hate all the lines, but you made it through ok.

Love the warm Krispy Kremes, would love one now. No trip to Disney this year & I'm bummed about it. We do need to see some more of America first.

for being caught up!
We were never very fond of the GF, but the villas definitely changed our mind. They are really beautiful.

Sorry you don't have a trip to WDW booked, but didn't you just return from a 5 week Florida vacation?

I am with you on the warm KK. I would love to have one now.

I totally understand your wanting to sail more exotic waters! I always say if I'm going to spend that much money on a vacation, I want to be warm, and I want to be on a lounge chair with an umbrella drink in my hand!

The boys will be so thrilled with SWW! I think we should surprise them with "May the 4th be With You" Day!

All the European ports can be reached by just a two hour flight, so they don't have a real draw - the Caribbean ports instead .......

I cannot wait for that SWW trip report, Tammie! Looking forward to your next vacation.

 

[Queenofallthings]

Oh Karin, I'm not entirely sure I would have slept or ever left that balcony....what a view! Thank you so much for sharing, it's something I have always loved about your TR's is the details and pictures! Can't wait to read more!

 

[dizneeat]

Oh Karin, I'm not entirely sure I would have slept or ever left that balcony....what a view! Thank you so much for sharing, it's something I have always loved about your TR's is the details and pictures! Can't wait to read more!

It was an awesome view! But as far as sleep goes - after a 26 hour day we were happy to have soft beds.
Good thing is that with the time change we usually get up pretty early, so we had quite some time left to enjoy the balcony and the view.

 

[dizneeat]

Day 2, February 16

„Are you on a Disney cruise right now?“ - Part 2

And after that final visit we now were on our way.





But we would not go far, we have a traditional cruise breakfast which I had thought about skipping, but then decided not to.
It was too yummy to let it go. So we drove to Downtown Disney, parked our car closest to the bus stop and went to Wolfgang Puck’s Express for breakfast. There was no one in line when we entered



and since we already knew what we wanted there was no need to stop and read the menu either. So we ordered our food, got a marker to put on our table and picked up our Diet Cokes. We found a nice table and waited.





Didn’t take long and a server came by to greet us and to put some cutlery on the table. It took a little while, and then our breakfast was served. Tom had ordered the



Breakfast Pocket, Scrambled Eggs, Ham, Roasted Potatoes, Red Onions, Mushrooms, Cheddar, which is one of his all time favourites. I had my breakfast favourite, the



Breakfast Pizza, Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Mozzarella, Cheddar, Carmelized Onions. I was in breakfast heaven. We both enjoyed every bite we managed to eat, which means that neither of us was able to finish breakfast. Breakfast behind us we walked through TrenD, but didn’t buy anything. And then it was time to really get going and get on the highway.



Traffic was light and with the having Sunpass we made good progress.



And then finally after about an hour’s drive, one particular ship came into sight and both our hearts skipped a beat.







It is always so exciting to see one of the Disney vessels for the first time before a cruise. Soon enough we were exiting the highway and driving towards the port.



We were actually later than usual coming to port, but we did not mind. Once we had reached the first check-point we were directed towards the baggage drop off, right next to the terminal with the words, “Straight ahead for your luggage, well, you know the drill!”, which made us both laugh. So we drove up to the terminal, handed over our three pieces of luggage, tipped the porter and off we went to the parking garage, where we were greeted by the sight of a sign that indicated the price of parking for a four day cruise – 75 Dollars!
But who cares, we were about to embark on another beautiful Disney cruise. We found a spot on the level where the walkway to the terminal is, packed the Owner’s Locker box into the boot and off we went. There is a check-point before you enter the walkway and we were greeted so friendly, we knew we were in for great fun. Then I stopped on the walkway to take one more photo before we boarded



and another Cast Member stopped and commented on how beautiful the ship was and if it was our first time. His eyes got really big when we answered that it was our eighth time on the Dream and we still loved seeing it close up for the first time. And on we went across the walkway and over to the security check point.
It was awesome as we could see quite a line on the ground floor, but there was no one approaching the check-point where we were. So we quickly put our carry-ons on the scanner belt and then I struggled with my Camilia bracelet. So the person manning the scanner told me it would not affect the scanner – guess what, it did. So back I went, bracelet off and I went through without a sound.
Tom went through behind me and had forgotten to take his cell phone off, so he had to go back too. And then we were finally in the terminal. We usually are so excited to be in there there that we completely forget to take photos and this time was no exception.
We were immediately greeted by a super friendly and bubbly DVC representative, who handed us lanyards, took a note of our stateroom number and invited us to the DVC presentation that was going to be held at 2.30. After that I went to one of the desks to find a health form to fill in and then we bypassed the long check in lines and went right over to the Concierge desk to check-in. All the check-in desks were busy, but it only took a minute or so until one opened up and we were checked in and handed our black lanyards.
They are the new kind of lanyards, rather silky, which I had read were not very sturdy at all, so we carefully opened the wrapper and Tom put his card in and we started on the second one. I tried to open the little pouch that is attached to the lanyard and it just was not opening. And when it finally did, it ripped the pouch. I thought about keeping and dealing with it for a minute, but then decided to go back and ask for a replacement of the pouch. They were very sweet about it, telling us that it happed a lot and handed me a new one, even opening it up for me, to make sure, this one worked.
Lanyards around our necks we headed back to the line to enter the ship, but just as we set out to do so they made an announcement that another group was allowed to go on board. So we joined the even longer line, but it moved pretty fast and soon our cards were scanned and we were on our way to get on board. But there was still another long line for the embarkation photo.
Being on our 13th cruise we have long stopped buying that photo and don’t see any need in taking one in the first place. So we got in line when one of the cast members must have read my mind and asked if we wanted to skip the photo.

YES!

So she opened up a line to the side for us and let us go through there. And in mere seconds we had passed the photo op and were on the gangway and asked for our names so we could be announced on the ship. Oh, it felt so good to be back on one of the Disney vessels, even if it only was for four nights, we loved it. A cast member came to explain things to us, then right in the middle of his spiel he paused and looked at the lanyards and went on to say, “You have heard that before? Have you got any questions?”
We didn’t, so he wished us a pleasant stay on board and we headed over to guest services and got in a short line. When we made it to the desk we asked about a galley tour being offered and yes there was one, so we picked a time and then it took the cast member a long time to figure out how to print out the tickets. He apologized a few times, but he was new and it was more challenging than he had thought. Tickets in hand we grabbed our carry-ons again and walked one deck down to Enchanted Garden for lunch.
Not that we had been particularly hungry. I was still feeling good after my nice WPE breakfast, but it is kind of a tradition to have lunch in Enchanted Garden when embarking on a Disney ship. So we were handed a wipe, then headed to the sign-in desk and were quickly assigned a table and led to it. As it turned out it was one of the round tables right in the middle of the restaurant.

To be continued ............ ​

 

[MEK]

Yay for arriving! It must be cool to be a old pro when it comes to cruising. I feel so naive with my first cruise coming up. I know for sure I will get goose bumps when I see the ship for the first time!

Can't wait to read more about your adventure.

Oh - and that breakfast - YUM!!!!!

So do you recommend just sticking with the same rental car the whole time and paying to park? We will be at Disney for 5 nights before the cruise and one night afterwards. It seems to me that would be most logical.

 

[Linda67]

It just would be a Karin and Tom cruise TR without a breakfast at WPE so I'm glad you decided to go!

 

[englishrose47]

Very detailed report on getting to the Dream. I can't remember that much detail the next day Your WPE breakfast looked yummy, I can't decide which I would choose Looking forward to EG lunch pix

 

[dizneeat]

Yay for arriving! It must be cool to be a old pro when it comes to cruising. I feel so naive with my first cruise coming up. I know for sure I will get goose bumps when I see the ship for the first time!

It still is exciting to get on the ship, no matter how often we have done it - hense the lack of photos of the terminal.
Just enjoy and take it all in. It's your vacation and I am sure you will love it.

Can't wait to read more about your adventure.

Oh - and that breakfast - YUM!!!!!

So do you recommend just sticking with the same rental car the whole time and paying to park? We will be at Disney for 5 nights before the cruise and one night afterwards. It seems to me that would be most logical.

I think I might not be the right source to ask about the rental car. We book here in Europe and it is much more cost effective to keep the car for the whole week than to rent it for a few days.
It might be different for you. The other thing that lets us keep the car is that we do not have to go and drop it off somewhere in Cape Canaveral and use one of the shuttles to get back to the ship. It might change once they open the new rental facility at the port, but at the moment we will keep our car while we go on a shorter cruise.

It just would be a Karin and Tom cruise TR without a breakfast at WPE so I'm glad you decided to go!

Hm, I wonder if we have gotten to predictable? But you are right, it would not be one of our TRs without some WPE and some KK!

Very detailed report on getting to the Dream. I can't remember that much detail the next day Your WPE breakfast looked yummy, I can't decide which I would choose Looking forward to EG lunch pix

Rosie, I guess we have done it so often that we can remember better. AND, we take a gazillion pics, with helps with remembering.

We just love the WPE breakfast - the pizza is so yummy and Tom's pocket is too!

 

[jenseib]

I loved the new silkly lanyards. It felt better on my neck...but the pouch was pure crud. Mine was ripped from the get go, but I just let it go and it was OK, but they are super cheap pouches....even worse than before and I thought they were bad before.

 

[dizneeat]

I loved the new silkly lanyards. It felt better on my neck...but the pouch was pure crud. Mine was ripped from the get go, but I just let it go and it was OK, but they are super cheap pouches....even worse than before and I thought they were bad before.

I had read about the new lanyards falling apart, but ours held up nicely. They have a really nice feel around your neck, but the pouches are just not good. I always carry mine around my neck, so I needed one that I was able to open and close easily, thank god, they were so helpful and exchanged it right away.

 

[pas130]

Woohoo, we're on the ship

 

[JKSWonder]

On our last cruise, my mother ended up with a lanyard that, unbeknownst to her, had a slit in the plastic pouch where an opening should not be. About two days into the cruise, she looked down and saw that her KTTW card had fallen out someplace and it was then that she discovered the defect. She had to go to guest services to get the KTTW replaced (and make sure no one could charge to our account on the old one) and they gave her a replacement lanyard.

Lesson learned for the next time. I'm going to examine everyone's lanyards to make sure they are all in one piece before leaving the check in desk.

 

[RGirl]

Hi Karin! I’m so sorry to fall so behind - we had a week-long spring break trip and all the work that goes into getting ready for that, so I kind of fell off the DIS. I’m catching up now!

I sure hope the treatments have helped Tom.

I just knew you would be making a stop at Krispy Kreme!!!

Oh, I have been so excited to read about and see pics of the GFV!!!!! And then ….. what a horrible check-in experience! Thank goodness a nice CM could save the day. But wow, wow, wow, the actual villa is gorgeous!!!! Oh good gravy! Willow would LOVE that little pull-out Dumbo bed! Seriously - she would be shrieking with joy over that.

Beautiful early-morning pictures from your balcony. My favorite is definitely Sunrise Through a Doughnut Hole!

I love the pics you ran back inside to take - thanks for making the time to do that!

Ha!!! Of course you had to stop at WPE!!!!! As usual, the breakfast looks delicious.

So excited that you are onboard the Dream. As you know, we have not done any Dream cruises (only having done 7-day ones), so I am really looking forward to hearing all about it!

 

[marypoppinswannabe]

Just got caught up!! Looking forward to reading the rest. Love, love, love the Villa. And the view is great!!

 

[Leshaface]

Catching up!

That must be annoying having to go through Immigrations and Customs each trip, not knowing how long it's going to take.

Oh my goodness and now a line with Hertz! I'm sure at that point you were just ready to get out of that stinkin' airport.

Your villa is absolutley stunning! So fresh and new.

What a beautiful view of the sun rising that morning! Even better with donut and coffee in hand.

Would love to try WPE for breakfast one day. It looks so delicious and have heard great things about that breakfast pizza!

So glad that 'lines' with DCL are much smoother than at the airport. Can't wait to see what you ate for lunch at EG!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

You are right, I did have a five week vaca in Florida, but we still have our regular trip in Sept. It was decided to skip WDW this year, but I decided I wanted to go again. It was too late to use my pin & there were no other discounts at this time. One is coming up later, but I don't know for how much.

So I think we are going to Savannah & Charleston or to the southwest.

I love the title of your TR. We hated all of the pushiness of the crew wanting us to mark all the surveys excellent!