12/9/06 December Double Dip DIS Geekorama Part 1 (cruise completed) pretrip added 1/8

[lbgraves]

The show was suppose to end at 2:45 and DD was to come back to the room so that she could attend a hair curling party with S&S. At 3 I went down to the theater to find that it hadn’t ended yet due to a delay with the start. OY! I found DH and DD & I dashed up to Savannah’s room where I managed to get her hair set while the girls feasted on chocolate chip cookies and watched Ice Princess. Next on the agenda was Tea with Wendy.

This is what GS had confirmed with Kim, however this was one of several discrepancies we experienced while onboard. My DD was OK with the Mad Hatter and Alice but the other two girls were afraid of him. When the voice of the Queen of Hearts was heard they were ready to bolt out of Studio Sea. I recommend that you check with the character manager to confirm who will be appearing at the tea on which day if it will make a difference for your child.

After returning to the room to finish watching the movie and pass out goodie bags it was time for me to get ready for formal night myself. DH and DS were ready quickly and went down to see the Captain. DD & I joined them for a bit before heading off to PC for dinner. Everyone looked so nice dressed up.

 

[lbgraves]

Many of the men in our group wore tuxes and the girls all looked like little princesses. It was a rough night on the water. Many people were not feeling well. We ended up ordering a round of ginger ale for the kids. I think that DD wasn’t feeling well due to a combination of a bright light shining right on her at our table, it was very warm in the dining room, and she was very tired. She moved next to DH after PJ left the table and slept on two of the chairs.

After dinner we went to watch The Golden Mickeys. We never miss one of the main stage shows … no matter how many times we have seen them. The kids stay glued in their seats the entire time … so that means no fighting. DS was chosen to be a dwarf and went to sit with the CMs until it was time for them to appear. He really liked that he held Dopey’s hand while they marched around the stage.

DH & DS went to the Golden Mickeys After Party in Studio Sea. They both got into the act.

After DD & I stopped in at Shutters to collect our pictures from the past couple days, we went to see what was going on. DD wasn’t too sure about joining in.

Goofy and Minnie joined in and had a dance off.

It was time for bed when the after party was over with. We had an excursion in the morning.

 

[luvmykids]

We had William from India the week before you and I agree he was wonderful. I wanted to take him home with us and we still miss him. We were on the Western and told him when we come back on the Eastern we will be requesting him. Glad you had a great trip!

 

[lbgraves]

Wednesday morning we woke up at 7:15. We had to be in the atrium to meet the group at 8 am. I had to be there one way or the other because I was the person who had the list for each of the busses and had been communicating with David Villagomez for months setting it up. I managed to get the kids out of bed and eating at TS with minutes to spare. Most people were there by 8:15 waiting for the ship to be cleared so we could disembark and go meet David in the parking lot outside of the mall. We chose the Atrium because it was the only area where there was not a DCL excursion meeting.

It was finally cleared at 8:30 and we headed down to deck one then regrouped on the pier. As we were lining up we saw a CM walking by with a green Mickey head sign used to lead a group but the CM would not part with it. The green bandana waving in the air worked just as well. When we passed the transportation kiosk in the mall a man yelled out asking if we were looking for David and confirmed that he was in the parking lot. We joked that they are tracking us everywhere. He was right at the entrance to greet us.

It was nice to finally meet him after exchanging so many emails preparing for this trip. The pirates and bananas split up and boarded the busses waiting for us and we were on our way to the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins.

David is a very knowledgeable and charismatic speaker. He made the hour drive to the site very interesting. I had asked to cut out the time shopping in the village and include some interactions with the many kids in the group. I wish that he could find the time to write everything he knows down or even record one of his tours. I took notes to make it easier to remember key points for the kid’s school reports.

Along with giving us the history of the site, David took the time to show everyone the different plants and vines that grow there. He explained the different uses of the leaves of some of them including allspice, anise, and the source of Novocain.

David was wonderful with the kids. My DD loved the tour and is still talking about the ruins that are 3000 years old and how the Indians built them. We had plenty of time to explore the many sites on our own in the area. We then boarded the bus and headed off to see the village where David grew up. He showed us where the school is and explained that thanks to the generosity of cruisers they were doing OK with supplies. Instead, he took us to a remote town seven miles away called Chachoben. The dirt road was narrow and rural. David told us that most people walk that distance to travel between villages every day.

 

[lbgraves]

When we turned onto one of the main streets where the children were playing they started to gather around us. David told them to have everyone go to the school yard to meet us. It was a holy day so school was not in session. What followed is one of the most amazing experiences of my life. We unloaded the boxes and bags of goodies and set them along a stone fence. David opened one box and started handing things out. I opened a bag and gave my kids pencils and folders to give to the kids. I have never seen anyone get so excited about getting a pencil or a notebook. I only wish that we had brought the candy sitting in the stateroom that we never even touched on the cruise.

After twenty minutes all of the supplies were handed out and the kids and their parents cheered for us to thank us. They invited us to the feast they were having to celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe. We didn’t return to the ship until almost 3 pm. Our 4 hour tour with transport had turned into a six hour experience that will always remain with me. DS was very touched by the children and their response as well. He wants to organize his class to adopt the school sending them more supplies and exchanging letters.

 

[lbgraves]

The pier was blocked when we returned due to a rope that was securing the ship fraying. The crew brought out an axe and chopped thru the remaining cords.

The rope fell, we cheered, and boarded our ship to get something to eat. It had been quite a while since most of us had eaten. We sat around the pool talking about the day’s events while the kids watched Cinderella on the Dumbotron.

Dinner that night in Lumiere’s was fun. After requesting a basket of banana bread from PC the first night of the cruise in Lumiere’s we received a basket of warm bread every night.

DD got her picture taken with Sorcerer Mickey and this was the night that Max appeared in the Atrium.

We also saw Princess Minnie appear in front of the tree. I quickly rounded up the kiddos to go get pictures since this was a first for us.

The show tonight was Twice Charmed. This has to be our favorite. Last year we attended the matinee performance as well as the regular evening show. DD and I listen to the soundtrack at least twice a week. I fully expected her to belt out the songs right along with the cast, however she was mesmerized once again and sat with her jaw near the floor the entire show.

After the show we went to the Atrium to tell Cinderella herself how much we enjoyed her performance and waited for Mrs. Clause to read a story.

We knew to look for this event from our cruise last December. DS was over tired and was taken to the room before this began. The effect of this action was lessened by the fact that there was a note in the stateroom waiting for DS from the staff and crew of The Magic with a $10 arcade card inside. When we first checked out our stateroom he had found two brass ships with pencil sharpeners on the bottom. He was sad that the kids who were there last week had lost them because he wouldn’t want to lose a toy he bought on the ship. I told him that we could take them to Guest Services to be put in lost and found so that they could be returned to the owners. We hadn’t remembered to have them with us until that afternoon after the tour. He took them to GS and explained the situation to the CM there. I asked if they could mail them to the children since I know that I would not have called DCL to inquire about something so small being left behind. She confirmed that they would be sent out to them after the ship docked Saturday morning and commended DS for being so thoughtful. The characters appeared briefly after the reading and the DD and friends enjoyed giving them more hugs.

DS was already sleeping when DD and I returned to the stateroom after saying good night to our friends.

 

[lillygator]

Awesome Lisa!! I can't wait for next year can you?

 

[curlybop]

I feel like I am right there with you! What a great report so far. I the Princess photos - I know my DD will enjoy them too....she just can't wait to meet her favorites.

 

[MMcCarthy]

Lisa
what a great trip report. I really enjoyed meeting you & your family. I hope the trip was as awsome for you as it was for all of us. thanks for all your hard work.

 

[discruiselovers97]

Your report is great! When we went on the DD in July there also was nobody on the beach but because the CMs said that not most people came out on the first CC day because they wanted an extra day to explore the ship! I thought then why did these people sign up a DD when they could have just signed up for an eastern cruise where you get more at sea days! I couldn't believe it!

 

[Ct_TiggerFan]

What a great report.

Thank you


Ed ( a member of the Aug douple dippers)

 

[kritter]

Lisa,
What great pictures you have gotten...YOur report is wonderful makes me want to be back on the MAGIC!!!!

 

[lbgraves]

Your report is great! When we went on the DD in July there also was nobody on the beach but because the CMs said that not most people came out on the first CC day because they wanted an extra day to explore the ship! I thought then why did these people sign up a DD when they could have just signed up for an eastern cruise where you get more at sea days! I couldn't believe it!

That is exactly what I thought. Why on earth did you people book a double dip if you weren't going to take full advantage of it.

I have just finished going thru all of the pictures from the cruise...about 1800 of them...so they are ready to be posted if they apply to the story. I will start working on Wednesday tomorrow.

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

I, too, was stunned looking at your pictures of an empty family beach on CC.

On the August DD the family beach was packed both times. We got off the ship early both times and still had to walk to the far end of the family beach to find chairs and then had to go far back away from the water to find a group of empty chairs.

The only difference I saw with the DD cruise was that people returned to the ship earlier than on my other cruises.

What a great, great experience meeting the children of Costa Maya. I wish we knew back in August to bring some school supplies to give to the people doing the David and Ivan tour. We had an amazing day at Pez Quadro and while eating lunch the local elementary school children had just gotten out of school and were walking along the "road" in Majahual. My kids got such a kick out of seeing them.

 

[Bella2000]

Reading your report just brings me back to my happy place. Thank you! THank you also for arranging the Mayan ruin tour. It is one of those once in a lifetime experiences.

Also, I haven't eaten breakfast this morning and while I dislike bananas I love the banana bread. I would love a whole basket in front of me right now as a matter of fact. Did you hear my stomach rumbling?!

 

[cristit14]

Great report so far Lisa. Can't wait for the rest! Wish we had been on board with you guys!

 

[Disney owl]

Great report & wonderful photos thanks

 

[klineyqueen]

I am enjoying your report!!! Keep it coming!

 

[Jennifer48]

Ok Lisa, where is part 2?!

 

[mruhaak]

Your photos are wonderful!