11/4/06 Western on the Magic (Our 2nd DCL)

[love2travel]

The characters (and I do mean characters) in this story are:

Me (Teresa)
DH (Ken)
DD9 (Rebecca)

Just to let you know ahead of time this is going to be a long thread, I love to talk!!

We started out on our trip on Friday, 11/3. Flying Southwest from Philly to Orlando, smooth flight no problems. We arrived in Orlando to meet our driver from *********** Transportation (Great Company) to take us to the Residence Inn in Cape Canaveral. Arrived at the Residence Inn and was greeted by the very friendly staff...nice hotel, brand new and we were very happy with our accomodations. Got settled into our room and decided to go for an early dinner at Grills (recommended by the hotel and several DISers). We enjoyed our dinner and made our way back to the hotel. Went swimming in the hotel pool while waiting for lindaso and her family. Lindaso's DD (Stephanie) and our DD had been chatting on the internet for months before we cruised and were looking forward to meeting each other. While at the pool we ran into some more people going on DCL. Later on in the evening while sitting in the hotel lobby waiting for lindaso, we met Cheysdad (Mike) and DW (Cathe) and DD (Cheyenne). Cheyenne was waiting to meet Stephanie also. Immediately Rebecca and Cheyenne made a connection and hung out together all week, (more on that later). While we were all sitting in the lobby talking, (I told you I like to talk) lindaso and her family arrived, the girls were so excited to finally meet!!! As me, DH and Mike and Cathe continued to talk (of course we were talking about DCL, what else!) we found out that Mike and Cathe and Cheyenne had early dinner. We asked for early dinner when we booked back in Feb., but were waitlisted and then they just put us on late sitting. I knew I was going to go straight to Rockin Bar D and try to change it to early, well since Mike and Cathe are such nice people they invited us to sit at there table, we were excited and hoping that the change could be made. We said our goodnights and told them that we would meet up with them at the terminal in morning. We were also meeting up with SuzyMouse and her family at the terminal.

Gotta go do some laundry and figure out what's for dinner, more later!

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

please finish up more soon, I am ready and anxious to read some more,

mom x4,grandma x4

 

[cheysdad]

Hi Teresa,

It was our pleasure having dinner with you, Ken and Rebecca all week. We truly enjoyed your company. We were very fortunate to meet you guys, Sue , Howard & Rebecca and many other Disers.

Hopefully the friendships will last.

Mike

 

[lindaso]

Yup, everyone waiting around to meet Stephanie And we arrived in typical fashion...late and disheveled!! I'm hoping to write about that tonight after everyone goes to bed!!

Seriously, I wish I had more of a chance to hang out with you guys. Being outnumbered by kids was once again our downfall.

Looking forward to reading the rest of your report. I can live vicariously through your late-night fun!!

 

[love2travel]

The story continues....so we get up early Sat. morning....today is the day have breakfast at the Residence. Breakfast is included and it was very good and included lots of items, such as muffins, yogurt, cereal, waffles, eggs, sausage, fruit, juice, coffee, etc. you get the picture. So were done breakfast, check out of the hotel and we are off to the port!!! We arrived at the port at just about 5 minutes to ten and we had to wait about 10 minutes before they let us in. Thru security and up the escalator, we received boarding #3, I was really excited!!!!! Got in the CC line and had to wait a few minutes, CM's were still arriving to work. While waiting in line I met mmouse37 and chatted with her for a few minutes. Finally got checked in and then went and got DD's pager for the kids club.
Found some seats and then met up with Cheysdad and family and Suzymouse and family. Talked some more...do you see a pattern here?
Finally it was time to board, I think it was around 11:45ish, but don't quote me on that! Stopped and had our picture taken, which didn't come out good at all, but that's Ok, spent plenty of money on other pictures at Shutters. Down the ramp and there we are again, the time for them to announce your name, I think that is really a neat touch, but of course that is Disneys style. We make a mad dash for Rockin Bar D to see if we can change our dining time and also see if we can sit with Mike, Cathe and Cheyenne and to also make a Palo Dinner Reservation. I was able to make a brunch reservation online but I couldn't get dinner. So the first line was to change dining times, spoke to the CM explained what I wanted, 1,2,3, no problem, we were sitting with our friends. Next line was for Palo reservations, line moved very quickly and I got my reservation for dinner for Thursday evening. Now I am very happy, not only am I on DCL but just got all my requests granted!!! Off to lunch at Parrot Cay, which was good as usual! Went up to deck 9 and had some welcome aboard cocktails . Around 1:30ish went down to our room and we went in I found a lovely gift basket (actually a tote bag) that my DH had ordered for me filled with goodies from the Perfect Gift. Shirley does any amazing job! My DH ordered a basket for our DD too. Don't think he was excluded I ordered one for him too!!!! We all enjoyed looking over our treats and goodies. My basket even included Appletini Mix, yummy!!! We got a few things settled in our room and it was time for the boat drill, no big deal!
After the boat drill, we headed up to deck 10 for the sailaway party and met up with our friends. A great time was had by all! Had our DIS meet at the Goofy pool, unfortunately only a few people showed up, but they were the important people. Just kidding DISers :disrocks. You couldn't miss my DH he stuck a lime green mickey head on his forehead and then later on he put it on his Panama Jack Hat. There is always one in a crowd!! Nobody can say he didn't enjoy himself, he works hard everyday and is entitled to cut loose on vacation!!!
:

Time to let my brain refresh

 

[love2travel]

Hi Teresa,

It was our pleasure having dinner with you, Ken and Rebecca all week. We truly enjoyed your company. We were very fortunate to meet you guys, Sue , Howard & Rebecca and many other Disers.

Hopefully the friendships will last.

Mike

There are not enough words to describe how much we enjoyed your company and the other DISers we met. We are truly blessed to have met you all. We will definately have to get together sometime soon!!!

 

[love2travel]

Yup, everyone waiting around to meet Stephanie And we arrived in typical fashion...late and disheveled!! I'm hoping to write about that tonight after everyone goes to bed!!

Seriously, I wish I had more of a chance to hang out with you guys. Being outnumbered by kids was once again our downfall.

Looking forward to reading the rest of your report. I can live vicariously through your late-night fun!!

Linda, your trip report is absolutely hysterical!!! Keep it going! I'm sorry we didn't get to see you that much either!

 

[jsfein]

Great start to your trip report. I can't believe we didn't meet. I saw Michael and Linda all over the ship and must have seen your family as well. We were also at Residence Inn and had an early breakfast on Sat., also had boarding # 3, and also did Palo Thurs. night.

If you post a family photo, I'll probably have an "A Ha" moment.

 

[Suzy Mouse]

Hey Teresa!!

I'm loving your report!!! Can't wait to read more!!!

I will always remember the look Ken got asking the lady in the lime green bikini if she was a diser! I'm sure she thought it was a new pick up line she'd never heard before!!!

 

[mmouse37]

Enjoying it as well...keep it going!!! Sorry I did not meet up with other Dis'ers formally but I was in charge of 20 people (10 new to DCL and cruising) so I had my hands full all week making sure everyone knew about everything the ship had to offer.....I got 6 of them including us to rebook onboard for 2008!!! Yeah!!!

 

[pklein09]

subscribing....I want to hear what everyone else did....

--Michelle

 

[love2travel]

Great start to your trip report. I can't believe we didn't meet. I saw Michael and Linda all over the ship and must have seen your family as well. We were also at Residence Inn and had an early breakfast on Sat., also had boarding # 3, and also did Palo Thurs. night.

If you post a family photo, I'll probably have an "A Ha" moment.

We were probably right near you at one time or another and just didn't even know it!!!!

 

[love2travel]

Ok, after the sailaway party it was back to our rooms to get ready for dinner.
Our servers were really great...we had Mahendra as the Server and Ana (from Peru) as the Assistant Server, the head dining room server was Chetan from India. Our dining rotation was PLA and like I said earlier we were sitting with Cheysdad and his wife and daughter, it was great company! Honestly, I cannot remember what I had to eat but all I know is that the food was great!! No complaints here! After dinner we went to see the Welcome Aboard Show with Gary DeLena (Comedian) and Jay Mattioli (Magician). We saw Gary DeLena last year and he was just as funny this year. We will never forget Pennsylvania, pink pajamas, penguins on the bottom. Everytime we hear that song now we think of Gary! I guess we are a little partial too, he is from New Jersey also . Jay Mattioli was just Ok in my book...but he tried! After the show we went to Rockin Bar D and had a few cocktails and then called it a night!

More to come!

 

[love2travel]

Sunday, Key West Day

Slept in (a little) and then made our way ashore to Key West. Walked down Duval St. and had lunch at Margaritaville, it's not much to look at, but the music is good! Bought some t-shirts from the Margaritaville store and started our walk back up Duval St. DD spotted a place that did hair wraps, she got a nice little hair wrap and the lady was really good and quick. DD didn't want to get off the ship in Key West but after she got lunch, t-shirts and a hair wrap she was much happier!! We also went to the Blond Giraffe and had chocolate covered Key Lime Pie on a Stick, it was definately de lish!!We will be going back there again next year! Made our way back to the ship to watch the Steelers game in Diversions. I know it wasn't worth watching but we are true Steelers fans, have to stick with your team . We were the family with Black Steelers Jerseys on that day!!! DD went to the kids club while we watched the game, I have to tell you she absolutely loves the kids activities and counselors. What a great group of people and they must have an awful lot of patience!! Anyway, we had to leave before the game was over to go and get ready for dinner, we didn't feel too bad because the Steelers were looking pretty bad. Tonight dinner was in Lumiere's and when we got settled at the table we had 2 more table mates. I forgot to say in my previous posts that we had 2 empty seats at our table on Sat. night. Our new table mates were Russell, the lead singer with NTWINE (he is from the Phillipines) and his friend Ebony (she was from Australia) and she also works on the Wonder as part of the Cruise Staff. It was great talking with them and learning about their cultures and how they live. It amazing to hear someone say, that they have never seen snow. I guess that comes from growing up and always living in the Northeast. Having Russell and Ebony at our table made the week even more special and I know Cheysdad and family agrees. Once our DD and Cheysdad's DD found out Russell was a singer they had to find out where he was performing and go watch him, this became a daily ritual, which we all enjoyed. I know I have read several complaints about NTWINE on these boards, but I have to say we all enjoyed them very much and as we got to know Russell we asked him more questions about the band and such. The music they play is what Disney tells them to play, they can throw a few songs of there own in here and there but it is pretty much whatever Disney tells them! More on NTWINE later on in the story! After dinner we went to the Promenade Lounge and watched Russell and his keyboard player (Christian) perform, it was a fun evening! Went to the show to see Gary DeLena, very funny!!! After that dropped DD off to the kids club/Ocean Quest and went to Rockin Bar D (can you tell that we like Rockin Bar D) to see NTWINE perform and then watched Jay Mattioli perform also. Then it was time for me and DH to become celebrities! Yes, it was time for the Match Your Mate Game, first they picked a couple who were newlyweds and then they picked a couple that were married I think 49 years or something like that..I know it was a really really long time, god bless them!!! and then he asked for couples who like to party well for those of you that were there you know what happened, for you others that weren't you missed out! So me and DH were picked as the infamous couple #2 (Ken and Teresa), we had an ABSOLUTE BLAST doing this, great people and lots of fun and they give you a free cocktail too!!!! Unfortunately we didn't win but have some great memories. Right as the show was ending our DD was paging us to be picked up from the kids club, so we called it a night after that!

 

[Suzy Mouse]

Russell and ntwine can sing "Seasons of Love" to me anytime!!!

 

[cheysdad]

Teresa,

We did enjoy Russell and Ebony. They girls felt very special sitting with him and Ebony at dinner. I'm glad Sue's Rebecca would come and sit with us also.

I thought ntwyne was excellent the last night of the cruise in the rockin d bar. The kids loved it and they played great party music.

Michael

 

[DisVillainFan]

Oh, boy, I can't wait to see what else I did! Yo Mike haven't touched a drop since I got home, Trying to recover from the cruise overload. Muchas, Muchas tequilla, e cervesas moy grande Miss you guys much...Ken

 

[cheysdad]

Ken

I am seriously missing those pina colada's. They were so good. So far Teresa's trip report is excellent. Can't wait to hear about Cozumel

Mike

 

[love2travel]

Monday at Sea!

Started the morning off with ordering roomservice for DD. Me and DH had a Palo Brunch reservation for 10:30. This was our first time at Palo and have heard so many wonderful things about and believe me....we were not disappointed at all. Our server was Cha Romano, good service and EXCELLENT FOOD!!! We left there really feeling good. After brunch at Palo all you want to do is sit in a chair and veg and that's exactly what we did for most of the day. We enjoyed our sea day relaxing by the pool. I am having a hard time remembering what we did on Monday, I remember it being a very relaxing day.

Next segment - Tues. Grand Cayman

 

[love2travel]

Grand Cayman

I think this is my favorite of all the ports we went to...absolutely beautiful area and the water....WOW!!!!!! In Grand Cayman we did the Island Tour and Snorkeling with the Stingrays. We started our tour with a tour of Grand Cayman, very informative driver. We stopped at HELL, interesting little tourist trap, with some funky rock formations. Ok, I can really say I've been to HELL and back now. Bought a postcard and mailed it back home to let all the people know we went to HELL! Back on the bus, got to see the Governor's Mansion, stopped at the Tortuga Rum Factory store and we also went to the Turtle Farm...what a great experience this was. We got to pick up turtles and have our picture taken with them, you just pet them underneath there neck and they calm right down, it was really cool!!! Then we were on our way to SWIM WITH THE STINGRAYS!! Now I have to tell you that our DD was a huge Steve Irwin fan and after learning what happened to him, she was a little hesitant about this. Ok, we board the boat to go out to the Stingrays, it was about a 30 minute boat ride, but the water was just beautiful!!! We arrive at our destination and are giving all the instructions and proceed to get into the crystal clear water. DH gets into the water and waits for DD and me to get in, ok no problems so far. The stingrays are MUCH larger than I expected. I tell DH to go ahead and I'll take DD. Well, just then a few stingrays swim by her and OH MY GOSH, she started to scream and totally freak out and the one thing the tourguide told us was not to jump around in the water, well what does she do...jump around . I proceed to get her back to the boat and try to calm her down, by this time the 9 yr. old attitude is shining through . Those of you that have 9 yr. olds, I'm sure you can relate...or atleast I hope so . I get her calmed down, she wants to go back into the water, Ok, great!!! It's time to hold the stingray and get your picture taken and even give it a kiss , I'm thinking a few minutes ago she was just freaking out, she is never going do this, well of course she had to prove me wrong and did it all like a true champion . We were proud of her!!! Then it came my turn to do the same and I will admit I was a little overwhelmed as well. DH did it and liked it no problems, but then again he used to scuba dive and has swam with nurse sharks and barracudas. Now everybody has had there turn to hold and kiss the stingray and now it's time to feed them. DD jumped right in there and got a piece of food, you go girl!!! She holds the piece of food up out of the water and I am standing right next to her admiring the beautiful water of Grand Cayman and not looking at her and I her my DH, say TERESA GET REBECCA and I turn around and see the stingray literally swimming up her body and is almost at the top of her chest and pushing her underwater. I guess they could tell she had food in her hand and they wanted it!!!! "Rebecca, just drop the food". Well, needless to say we had another meltdown after that and we went back to the boat again and I am saying to myself "was this really worth the money". She calmed down rather quickly and got back into the water, where we all enjoyed the rest of the time with the stingrays. Overall, it was a little overwhelming, but we can say we did it!! The tour was very nice and we went back to the ship and had some lunch and ended up meeting up with Mike, Cathe, Cheyenne, Linda and Stephanie and just chatted about our day!
That evening the show was Twice Charmed, saw it last year and enjoyed it again this year. DD wanted to go to the kids club and me and DH went to Rockin Bar D and saw Rhys Thomas....he was horrible!!!! We got up and left, that's all I can say!!! Overall, great day in Grand Cayman!

Cozumel and Pirate Night coming up!!! You'll want to stay tuned!!!!