3-day Wonder (3/13-16) - more info than you can possibly stand!

[JoyaDelMar]

Just finished the report myself, sniffling through the end just as many before me.

I just think it speaks wonders about you (and the DIS Board community) that this trip report was so commented on by so many people nearly 10 months after you originally posted it. I absolutely loved it myself!

You have a beautiful family and I hope you'll have an absolutely magical birthday celebration this year! I think I know a whole group of people who would agree with me and can't wait to hear about it all in your next TR!

 

[Dreamfinder2]

I just read/enjoyed your TR. We are planning a Disney Cruise in March.
I had to giggle about the Waffle House comment. We are used to good ole' southern food: fried chicken, mac & cheese, sweet tea, etc. We feel like it's a little "too fancy" for us to eat duck, lamb, etc. We have been on a cruise before (not DCL), and we ate burgers & fries more than anything. I'll probably have to try out all those fancy foods you spoke of!

Can't wait for your next upcoming TR!

I think I'd enjoy beeing a foodie if I could afford it day in and day out. The beauty of a cruise, of course, is you can try EVERYTHING and you aren't out any extra. If you don't like lamb, there's a burger right around the corner.

We're about 120 days out from our May trip. I've heard some stuff on the Fastpass that makes it sound like NOT the cool deal I thought it was. So I'm leaning toward the merchandise card, or whatever it's called.

I'm in the thick of anal planning, even now. Pathetic, but I know I'm not alone.

 

[auntyaba]

Fantastic trip report. If you do not already do it for a living you should be a writer. You covered so much in so few words and yes got right to the HEART of it all. Best wishes to your family. Thanks to your son for his service and your daughter is beautiful no matter what color her hair is.

 

[autigger]

The other cool new route I took was going to WDW itself. We travel south on 1-75, and I've tinkered with several other routes over the years. But this time I took the turnpike as usual, but then took the 429 exit off the turnpike BEFORE getting to I-4. It goes due south, passing through absoulutely nothing, and there is a Disney exit - Western Way - right off 429. It might be two miles further than the Turnpike to I-4 route, but there was NO traffic to speak of, and you don't have to deal with I-4. You come into WDW near Coronado Springs and Blizzard Beach.

The "Western Way" entrance to WDW is wonderful!!

This is the way we go and it is like having your own private highway. I highly recommend this.

In 2006, when my wife and I took our kids to WDW for the first time, we were on this road at night driving in and saw the Magic Kingdom fireworks in the distance. That was an incredible way to start our trip. You can also see the Contemporary Resort and a glimpse of the castle from the road.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

I guess we are all creatures of habit, to some extent, and once you get comfortable with a route ... well, why change? But this is a no-regrets change for us.

It's kind of like other habits at WDW. For instance, we've got our favorite restaurants and CS spots, but I try to branch out at least a little each trip. The family is more hesitant to try new places if it means sacrificing tried-and-true restaurants. I want a litte new along with the old, personally. So Yak & Yeti and The Wave are on the docket for May ... I hear mixed reviews of both places, but heck, I want to make up my own mind.

 

[chrisw127]

Great trip report. You have a cute family and you all seem to enjoy life! Enjoy your next vacation!

 

[Bondfan531]

Just finished reading this TR. I would LOVE to take a Disney cruise. it looks like fun Your daughter is beautiful

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Just finished reading this TR. I would LOVE to take a Disney cruise. it looks like fun Your daughter is beautiful

A Disney cruise is the stuff of dreams. And Amy is kinda cute, even if I did help make her. I'm almost used to her hair by now.

 

[Bondfan531]

I haven't seen her as a blonde (from what I can recall from past posts on here) but she really looks good as a brunette.

 

[Kurby]

i just started reading this and i'm sure will love it - i love tr's with pictures - oh and by the way - your dd looks good as a brunette.

i'll tell you what my mother told our neighbours when i was 17 and decided i have the personality of a red head and should have the hair to match.

if dying her hair is the worst she has or will do - you've got nothing to worry about

now i have to hit the back button and get back to your posts.

Here we are, sporting our Castaway Club lanyards (daughter Amy is a natural blonde, but a couple of weeks ago she decided to go brunette... I've really struggled with this, but she's 21 and it's her head *sigh*.)

 

[john970]

This really has been a GREAT informative review. We have cruised many other lines, and are trying our first Disney cruise soon.

A few questions:
-Are there any must do's, must see's, or must-eats?
-Is it true that there are no live bands (at the pool or throughout the ship)?
-Is there a live orchestra that plays during the "broadway" type shows, or is that prerecorded music?
-Did they bring on any good entertainment?

Thanks for the great review! Glad you had a great time.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

This really has been a GREAT informative review. We have cruised many other lines, and are trying our first Disney cruise soon.

A few questions:
-Are there any must do's, must see's, or must-eats?
-Is it true that there are no live bands (at the pool or throughout the ship)?
-Is there a live orchestra that plays during the "broadway" type shows, or is that prerecorded music?
-Did they bring on any good entertainment?

Thanks for the great review! Glad you had a great time.

As far as must-do's/eats ... explore every port the ship docks at. Even if you think you wouldn't like 'em. And I'm sorry we passed up Palo on our last cruise. It's worth it.

There IS live music on board, in various venues. But there is a lot of pre-recorded stuff, too. In the shows in the Walt Disney Theater, it is recorded music with live vocals, mostly.

Did they bring on any good entertainment? Well, certainly Mickey, Minnie, etc., are pretty entertaining. If I understand your question, are you asking if there are celebrity guests, perhaps? I *think* certain cruises do, but what you'll find are the usual cast of entertainers. Do a search on "Navigators" - the daily "what's happening" newsletter that talks about events on each day of the cruise - and you might get some idea of what other cruises have offered.

Maybe someone else would be so kind as to weigh in on this.

 

[Ender]

Men o Men that is one good trip Report nice Job!!!!!

Thanks for taking the time to writed

 

[Kurby]

glad to finally see a picture of the gift shop - well that's not really a shop is it, more like a tent

anyways - does anyone know how much the towels in the picture are - and the green beach bag on the left side?

just curious

thanks

We meandered on, although there's always time to shop:

QUOTE]

 

[bsusanmb]

Loved your TR and all of the photos. THanks so much!

Susan

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

I really enjoyed your trip report, Tony!

 

[Dreamfinder2]

glad to finally see a picture of the gift shop - well that's not really a shop is it, more like a tent

anyways - does anyone know how much the towels in the picture are - and the green beach bag on the left side?

just curious

thanks

We meandered on, although there's always time to shop:

QUOTE]

Actually, that particular shop is like a shed with those kiosks out front. It's pretty big.

Hey, Claire!

 

[jinia]

I absolutely loved your TR! You got me all misty eyed! Thank you for writing and thank your son for Serving.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

You're welcome. DS would be very grateful.

 

[ilovecraigandcooper]

DREAMFINDER-
i just want to find you and hug you! you seem like such a great guy! i love, love, LOVED the trip report! so you may have answered this in previous pages as i didnt read all of the additional comments of disboard members but WHEN IS YOUR NEXT VACATION?! i ask not so that i can stalk you (although i do want that hug...BUT so that i can look forward to the next trip report...). im not sure what you do for a living but would it be possible for you to just report the every day comings and goings of your life so those of us bored at work will have something entertaining and heartwarming to read?!

seriously, loved the report and all the pics and all the captions!