3 Days in MK, then March 3-10th, Western Caribbean on the Magic! Lots of pics!

[devonsmommy]

Hello!
We are just back from our fabulous first Disney cruise, and I'm so excited to write a trip report! I actually earned this cruise for FREE through my business with Thirty-One Gifts. They offer a Dream Reward program and of course I chose the Disney Gift Cards as my option!

Everything I learned about the cruise before we left was on these boards, so I'm hoping to be able to help others who are planning.

A little bit about us:
Me--turned 36 on the cruise, love all things Disney! Have been there once a year for the past 4 years. Have been on 2 previous cruises on other lines.

Hubby--39, doesn't love all things Disney But has been a trooper each year we go! Has been on 1 previous cruise on NCL.

DD1--6, girly girl, 1st cruise!

DD2--4, girly, girly, girly girl, 1st cruise and 2nd trip to Disney!

Mom--60s, my mom, we brought her along on this cruise because she helps us a lot with our businesses. Been on 1 previous cruise.

Friend--60s, the friend my mom brought along to hang out with! Not sure of her previous cruising history?

(DD2 and I headed down to spend 3 days in Disney prior to the cruise. The other two met up with us down there on Friday night.)

I took tons of pictures of everything! Food, fish extenders, etc.

Here's our itinerary:
February 29th--Arrive in Florida! Leap Day, Magic Kingdom
March 1st--Magic Kingdom
March 2nd--Magic Kingdom
March 3rd--
March 4th--
March 5th--
March 6th--
March 7th--
March 8th--
March 9th--
March 10th--

 

[devonsmommy]

We had an early flight from Philly that morning and were on the ground and at the Magical express by noon.

Here's my girl on the airplane waiting to take off!

Always one of the first pictures we take:

We stopped at Caribbean Beach first and then headed to POP. There was no line to check in, and the first thing I noticed...IT WAS HOT!
Our room was located in the 70s building.

We were starving, so our first stop was at the food court before we even went to the room!

I had the Cheesesteak Wrap with fries and a diet coke:

It was yummy and I would get it again!

DD had the chicken nugget kid's meal:

She is super picky and only at the french fries. She tasted the nuggets but apparently didn't like them.

I had no intention to go to a park today, but once you get there...how can you not go see the castle??!! So off we went to the park. It was about 2 p.m. when we finally got there and it was rather crowded due to the extra Disney Day promotion and the park being open 24 hours. We had no touring plan like I normally do! We just wandered and if there wasn't a long line and she wanted to do it, we did it. This trip was all about her! I also knew we had 2 more days in this park.

For dinner, we ate at my favorite counter service EVER! Columbia Harbour House. I had the tuna sandwich:

Now...I've eaten this the past several times we been there and I love it! Something was different this time?? Not enough tuna? It was still good, and huge, but it just wasn't the same.

We left around 7:30 p.m. because I knew I wanted to make rope drop the next morning. IT WAS PACKED!!! The lines waiting to get in were backed up everywhere. The line at POP waiting to get on the bus was through the entire cue and out onto the sidewalk. I was glad to be leaving and getting out of the crowd!

We finished up the night with a cupcake from POP:

It was very good, especially the frosting.

 

[devonsmommy]

One thing to add about the food. I always got the large drink and asked for a child's cup with lid and poured her some from there. It worked out well since she hardly ate anything! I didn't want to be wasteful ordering her an entire kid's meal knowing she wouldn't eat it.

 

[Sereina]

Great start to your TR! Looking forward to reading more!

 

[Disneymom77]

Subbing! The girls and I are enjoying it so far

 

[Disney9.9.10]

Great start! Your daughter is so cute I can't wait to read more about your trip

 

[Linda67]

Count me in

 

[Toria]

Joining in! Nothing like a free trip.

 

[kittychatalot]

Count me in please!

 

[devonsmommy]

We were up early and ready to head to MK for rope drop.
She had a gift card to spend and the night before she just couldn't live without these ears.

By the way...the shirt was part of an outfit I bought on Etsy! I found a few designers I really loved and just couldn't stop shopping!

We started at POP food court for breakfast. I LOVE french toast, so I thought I'd give it a try.

It was really good! They topped it off with some kind of sugar concoction...not just powdered sugar, but kind of crunchy? And I loved this sausage. I ended up eating this every morning!

We made it just as the rope drop show was going on. And headed right in with the crowds. I originally was not going to get a stroller for her, but it was more crowded than I expected, and it was HOT! So I sucked it up and rented...for the first time ever...a stroller from inside the park. They offer discounts if you rent for more than one day. The process was fairly easy, and we were quickly on our way to Fantasyland which is where we always head first.

We did our regular touring around Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, and then had a lunch reservation at Liberty Tree Tavern. I've been wanting to eat here the past few trips and we could never fit it in.

As you know, DD barely eats anything, so I ordered her some plain pasta (she won't eat sauce), and the side salad which I ate. She was having more fun coloring her picture for her sister (who she missed VERY much since she was still at home with her dad!), but she did manage to eat the noodles.

I couldn't decide between the Colony Salad or the Pot Roast, so the waitress convinced me! I ordered the New England Pot Roast... Our Tavern Keeper's Favorite - braised beef in a cabernet wine and mushroom sauce served with mashed potatoes and garden vegetables $17.99.

This was SO GOOD! The meat was so tender! And the portion size was good. I knew I needed some room for Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake - vanilla cake with a gooey toffee filling, vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce $7.49.

HEAVENLY is all I can say! Of course I couldn't finish it because it was huge, but it was one of the best desserts I've ever had at Disney.

We headed back to swim and for a little nap so we could return for evening festivities.

I love this parade!
After the parade we headed over towards the castle so we could see/hear Wishes. We watched the very beginning and then after Tinker Bell, DD was ready to do something else, so we hit up the Fairy meet and greet which had only 2 other people in line!

She really loved this and actually talked to them all! She's shy sometimes.

We hit up a few more rides before the park closed and took our time exiting, stopping in the shops along the way hoping the crowd would thin out and the bus line wouldn't be long.

One of the only things I dread about staying at POP is that it's the farthest bus stop from the MK entrance!

 

[Disneymom77]

Your lunch looked awesome! Maybe We'll have to hit up LTT for lunch during F & W!!

 

[Keurigirl]

YAY!! You may inspire me to put one of my own up here

 

[devonsmommy]

Ready for day 3 at Magic Kingdom!
We got another early start. My husband and other DD were flying down this morning, so we wanted to go tour and get back so we could see them in the afternoon.

Since we had already been here two days, I had no plan. I let her choose whatever rides she wanted to do again.

I somehow missed where everything got relocated to since Toon Town is closed, but saw that the Princess meet and greet was right at the entrance. Since we didn't have to hurry back to Fantasyland, we made this our first stop. We waited only about 15 minutes in line.

It was about...oh...9:30 a.m. maybe when we made our way through Adventureland, and I could NOT resist one of these!

SO GOOD! I got the vanilla with pineapple juice. Very refreshing on this hot morning.

We hit up Pirates three times in a row. This was her FAVORITE ride! No wait!

We also watched the parade...one of my favorites!

She loved dancing with the characters when they got off the floats.

Too much time had passed since we last ate! So we headed over to Cosmic Ray's. I got the 1/2 Rotisserie Chicken - with Mashed Potatoes and a seasonal vegetable $9.69. (I was really looking forward to the 1/2 chicken and ribs combo meal, but that wasn't on the menu. )

I really love this meal, and if you are doing the dining plan it's a great value! The chicken is really tender and moist.

After lunch we headed back to the resort to swim and wait for the rest of the family to arrive.

 

[MandyMommytoReaghan]

Great trip report so far!! Love all your pictures!!

 

[devonsmommy]

So hubby and DD arrived in the afternoon and we hit POP food court right away so they could eat. Apparently their plane was delayed and then the line for Budget car rental was ridiculously long and they gave him a hard time. I had PREPAID for it online for a special price and they were saying we didn't pay AND they didn't have a booster seat for us, which was also indicated. I even printed out the confirmation and he had it and they still gave him a hard time...

Here is the Chicken Caesar Salad which was mixed fresh before our very eyes.

It was actually pretty good! Especially the chicken. Of course I had to taste it.

Here is the Beef and Bleu Sandwich with home made "chips":

I guess the sandwich was good because he ate the whole thing! I did try the chips and they were DELICIOUS! They had some kind of seasoning too.

After that we went back to the room to change, and hit the pool! The weather was absolutely perfect for the pool...sunny, warm bordering on hot.

We stayed there for awhile until it was time to go back and get ready for dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe at the Wilderness Lodge. I had always wanted to eat the Skillet here and could never fit it in on other trips. So this was the perfect time. We had a rental car, so could just make the drive over.

We found it no problem with a GPS . This resort is just GORGEOUS! I would love to stay here sometime. I really enjoyed the theming.

Now to the dinner! I would come back to this restaurant just to order this:

The best little cornbread I ever did eat! It was SO GOOD.

Salad with REALLY good dressing! And coleslaw,

Kid's fruit salad

Kid's salad

Some of the skillet items...my personal favorite of the meats...the ribs, corn on the cob and good mashed potatoes.

Kid's pasta with sauce and cheese and maybe ground turkey? I don't see it listed on the allears menus.

Kid's cheese pizza

DD partaking in the festivities.

I should mention if you don't already know...they are some antics at this restaurant. We really loved our server! She played the part well. She had a cute little high pitched voice. Threw tons of straws and napkins at us. Luckily no one asked for ketchup...
She was also great and brought us sodas in to go cups and the girls' chocolate chip cookies for dessert in a to go container. We were so stuffed full!

I would definitely come here again to eat!

 

[Keurigirl]

I'm waiting

 

[kungaloosh]

I forgot how much I love the Whispering Canyon Cafe. It's been a few years since we've eaten there. There are just too many good places and not enough days/meals to fit it all in!

When are you going to get to the Magic and talk about meeting all of your DIS buddies?

 

[SharonK0527]

Loving your TR so far! We ate at Whispering Canyon last October on our trip and really enjoyed it! Server was great and we DID ask for ketchup!

Can't wait for more updates!

 

[Disneymom77]

Whispering Canyon Cafe is so fun! We asked for ketchup too....just for the heck of it to see how many bottles ended up on our table!