3 Families doin' a Surf & Turf Trip! AKL CL & Dream...Good-Byes

[hstrickland]

PTR coming in a week or so - you MUST join in because I need you to help me!!!!!!!!

No kidding?! Can't wait to see what you're trying to decide upon! I'll be happy to throw my two cents worth in

Did you use the new H20 shampoo? I'm assuming they had it at AKL. Doing my packing, and wondering how the shampoo was. The other H20 brand worked fine for me, I'm hoping the new line is as good.
Less than a week now for me. It's going to be a long week at work. But then 2 weeks at AKL. I'm sooo looking forward to it. Your post has been fun to read and kept me in the AKL mode during my wait.

for a week!!!! I bet your work week zooms by

Thanks, yes we did get to the yesterday and was great floating along on the noodles. Got the fat ones .

I'd like to know your thoughts on the new H2o shampoo & conditioner too! The hotel we're at here in Ft Lauderdale has Paul Mitchell products, and after I told our housekeeper that we liked them, she's been leaving 5 of everything every day so I'm stocking up just in case .

Sue & disney777....the H2O products at AKL were GREAT!!!

I think it was Grapefruit Bergamot or something like that. Perhaps I should have hinted that I LOVE the H2O products and I would have gotten more. Sue, you'll definitely be stocked up on shampoos for at least a year!...and so the hoarding has commenced....

HI there I've been lurking on your trip report and based on your photos and reviews of AKL, I just switched my reservations from CSR to AKL!!! Granted were not staying club level, but my DH and I have only ever stayed at All Star Music so this should be a great change for us!! I'm really enjoying your trip reports and can't wait to read more. -Amanda

You switched?!! Good for you! Yall won't be disappointed at all. You'll certainly enjoy the extra amenities...bigger rooms, queen size bed, balcony, etc. I know yall are excited!!! But be warned.....you may have a hard time NOT booking a deluxe for your next trip When you get back, I would love to hear your thoughts on AKL.

 

[cdotla]

Hey Heather...finally popping by. I've been away from the boards for quite awhile, but so happy to see you have a TR up and running. Yours are my favorite...I don't think I will ever tire of your charming little family!


All caught up in one sitting and can't wait to hear all about the rest of your trip!

 

[hstrickland]

Day 5
Headin’ To the Coast… ​

Everyone was just a little excited on this rainy Sunday morning! We were up at the crack of dawn and hit the lounge for a very early breakfast. Stephanie’s crew wasn’t moving quite as fast….Jonah and Ivy enjoyed their balcony for a bit…

If you remember me saying, their room was a standard view but still gave them a small piece of the savannah….the Sunset Savannah, I think….

We all gathered downstairs for some quick photos of the kids’ cruise attire…

Bet ya can’t guess we like Disney??

I’m sure this picture will shock all of you….Jesse in front of the TV. Now he’s pulled poor Jonah into his obsession.

As we say good-bye to the AKL, it’s bitter-sweet. While we certainly enjoyed our four day stint, we’re ready to experience the Disney Dream.

Can you hear the roar of the engine??? The Ferrari-Van is ready to put the pedal to the medal!

We rolled out around 9:30ish….since mom, Faith, Jesse and I were following Bill, Pop, and Stephen, we had to travel the speed limit (Bill was driving his company vehicle). Stephanie and crew were going to have breakfast at Boma, then Disney was picking them up around 10:45.

The drive over to Port Canaveral is super easy….basically a straight shot and only takes an hour.


The closer we got, the more excited the kids became. Since I was driving, I couldn’t enjoy the beautiful sight of the Dream! Pictures just don’t do it justice!!! You can see it from miles away.

On many of the cruise sites, it says the ports don’t let you in until at least 10:45am….however, when we arrived at 10:30, lots of early birds were already parked and in the terminal!


A very friendly cast member asked for a little information, then pointed us in the right direction. We pulled over by the terminal and they unloaded all of our luggage and away it went. Bill and Pop took both vehicles to the covered parking garage.

Entering through security was a cinch ….no long lines and no hassle.

Once inside, I was like a fish out of water. I had no clue what I was supposed to do first!!! Apparently I looked completely lost because a nice man told me we needed to fill out some paperwork before getting in line.

(Sean and Ivy at a later time…)

After all documents were complete, we jumped in line. By this time, Bill and Pop had joined us. This didn’t take long at all!! I couldn’t believe how quick it was.

The kind gentleman gave us a card with a boarding number….

Our port arrival time was 11:30am (this doesn’t mean boarding time). By 11:00am we had the boarding number. I was super happy…..9 means we’ll get on quickly!

We notice that Mickey was now out and about greeting the cruise guests. Since the line was getting long, we decided to go ahead and jump in…..what cruise is complete without an introductory picture?!

Continued on next post.​

 

[hstrickland]

Continued from previous post….



Warning….I’m going to bore you with the family pictures…..

Now that you’ve seen the same family members four different ways, we can move on….


Since we had time, why not go ahead and sign up the kids for the Oceaneers Club??? We actually did this online, but had to have the children present to get the wrist bands.

Jesse is quite proud of this wrist band! After signing in, we were super lucky and found a table and chairs by the boarding gate.

While we sat waiting, we were trying to decide what the big N meant on our cards??? If I remember correctly, it had something to do with the place we met for the emergency drill........maybe....

Time was drawing near and people were getting antsy. There was no reason for us to jump up in line since we were #9....we just sat and people watched. (one of my favorite past-times)

There’s a small observation deck …not crowded at all. Too bad it was rainy or else we might have gotten some better pics.

This is the entry to the ship….

It’s almost that time…..group 8 has just been called so now would be the time for us to make our way to the line.

I was really surprised that everything was going so smoothly….no rushing around, nobody pushing and shoving to get in line….a very easy process.


At this time, they called our number!!! Can you say EXCITED??!!!

Once we went through the Mickey ears, there was another line waiting to get pictures and then board the ship.

So close….I can see the entrance of the ship now….but just one more picture before we actually step on the Dream…..

Just a few more steps……

Up next……..finally onboard and it’s time to eat!






​

 

[Pinkocto]

Cruise Day! I can just feel the excitement!!!

I'm taken right back to our embarktion day and how exciting it was.

Loving all the pictures

 

[hstrickland]

Hey Heather...finally popping by. I've been away from the boards for quite awhile, but so happy to see you have a TR up and running. Yours are my favorite...I don't think I will ever tire of your charming little family!

All caught up in one sitting and can't wait to hear all about the rest of your trip!

Thanks, you're too kind.

So glad to 'see' you! Erin/DisneyDoc and I were just talking about you the other day and wondering where you've been. Life gets crazy, doesn't it?! School is back in for us, the kids are all involved with different sports and I'm in grad school Do you have any TRs going or trips you've been on recently?

Cruise Day! I can just feel the excitement!!!

I'm taken right back to our embarktion day and how exciting it was.

Loving all the pictures

Isn't it exciting??!! When I was posting the pics, it brought back such great memories....even with the rain that we encountered!

 

[jecskc]

We loved every thing about our cruise on the Disney Dream and we can't wait to go back !!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Hurrah for the start of the cruise. I am really intrigued by the idea of a cruise but so intimidated by all the details I have no clue about!! Of course this could be a fun project to research...

Love the family pictures and the kids' cruise wear. Everyone looks so excited!!

 

[cdotla]

Thanks, you're too kind.

So glad to 'see' you! Erin/DisneyDoc and I were just talking about you the other day and wondering where you've been. Life gets crazy, doesn't it?! School is back in for us, the kids are all involved with different sports and I'm in grad school Do you have any TRs going or trips you've been on recently?

Hey Heather...it is sure nice to "see" you again too!

You know, I don't think I have been active on the boards since Sept of last year, just before our big Sept-Oct 2011 family trip. Since then, I went on a couple of solo trips...and when I say "solo", I really just mean without the family. I am always meeting up with friends once I am there. In Dec 2011 I attended Magic and Merriment (my 1st christmas trip), and I just got back from CA last week for the D23 Destination D events in DL.

I also have another solo trip planned next month for F&W, Epcot's 30th and the Tower of Terror run. Although I am really just attending for the after-party.

While I know your family enjoys Disney just about as much as you do, some day you really should consider doing a solo girlfriends' trip. They are so much fun!!!

 

[cdotla]

Great recap of the boarding process.

So, now that you've been through this....do you think there is any benefit to showing up earlier than your scheduled arrival time?

And do you know how many possible boarding numbers you can be given. You got 9, but is it 9 out of 10, out of 20, ect?

And I take it from the nifty borders on the cruise lounge photos that you purchased the photo CD...assuming there is one. Do you recall the price?

 

[emma212010]

I am so happy you're doing the cruise, so I can see it! LOL! Ok, so that photo of the kids on the couch with their hats/ears on is absolutely adorable!!!

 

[ProudMommyof2]

Great build up to getting on the boat. DO you need to wait for your whole party to be present to check in or could you check in if you hubby wasn't back from parking yet?

 

[hstrickland]

We loved every thing about our cruise on the Disney Dream and we can't wait to go back !!

I would go back tomorrow if I could!! Loved it!! So very different than WDW, but a nice change.

Hurrah for the start of the cruise. I am really intrigued by the idea of a cruise but so intimidated by all the details I have no clue about!! Of course this could be a fun project to research...

Love the family pictures and the kids' cruise wear. Everyone looks so excited!!

I'm telling ya...I was so out of my element. Usually, I have everything in order, but since this was the first Disney Cruise....I was clueless!!!! Trying to plan was a bit difficult because of the unknown. By the time we finally figured out the configuration of the ship, it was time to disembark!

Hey Heather...it is sure nice to "see" you again too!

You know, I don't think I have been active on the boards since Sept of last year, just before our big Sept-Oct 2011 family trip. Since then, I went on a couple of solo trips...and when I say "solo", I really just mean without the family. I am always meeting up with friends once I am there. In Dec 2011 I attended Magic and Merriment (my 1st christmas trip), and I just got back from CA last week for the D23 Destination D events in DL.

I also have another solo trip planned next month for F&W, Epcot's 30th and the Tower of Terror run. Although I am really just attending for the after-party.

While I know your family enjoys Disney just about as much as you do, some day you really should consider doing a solo girlfriends' trip. They are so much fun!!!

I know...it's crossed my mind Do your kids not get upset that they can't go to WDW?? I'm afraid mine would throw a fit! There is so much 'adult' stuff I would like to do...things they wouldn't enjoy. And I would LOVE to go to DL. The kids have been watching things on TV about the new Cars Land...looks fun. Your trip next month will be great, I'm sure. Where are yall staying??

Great recap of the boarding process.

So, now that you've been through this....do you think there is any benefit to showing up earlier than your scheduled arrival time?

And do you know how many possible boarding numbers you can be given. You got 9, but is it 9 out of 10, out of 20, ect?

Our port arrival time was 11:30 and we arrived about 10:45...give or take. I'm always in the mindset of earlier is better and would totally arrive early again. HOWEVER...if we had a port arrival of 1:00, I'm not sure I would arrive at 10:45. From what I've read, they can deny entry until your given time. I'm guessing to keep the crowds down. And yes boarding #9 was great! Being the inquisitive (or nosey ) person that I am, I tried to look at other's boarding numbers. The highest I saw while in the terminal was 17. It goes up further than that....just don't know how high.

And I take it from the nifty borders on the cruise lounge photos that you purchased the photo CD...assuming there is one. Do you recall the price?

Well....yes we did get the photos....BUT...it was extremely confusing!! You can buy 10 pictures for $125, 15 pictures for $150 or the whole thing for $225....I think those numbers are fairly accurate. It was probably confusing because we had 3 families doing pictures. What the photo people told us and what actually came to pass were two different things. If it was just one family, it would be much easier. It was crazy and gives me a headache thinking about it. They do something called face recognition and the computer tries to put the picture in the correct place (done by cabins) We found that it doesn't always work.

I am so happy you're doing the cruise, so I can see it! LOL! Ok, so that photo of the kids on the couch with their hats/ears on is absolutely adorable!!!

They were all so proud of their cruise attire. I have successfully brainwashed the children to live and breath Disney You know it's bad when Faith says her prayers at night and actually prays for Disney World

 

[basketlacey]

Woohoo! You are on the boat! I so HAVE to do this one day!

Your family looks so happy!

 

[hstrickland]

Great build up to getting on the boat. DO you need to wait for your whole party to be present to check in or could you check in if you hubby wasn't back from parking yet?

Ya know...I'm not quite sure. Because I was soooooo clueless, we were just kinda standing around waiting on Bill and dad. Some nice person finally told us that we could go ahead and check in since I had the passports. Seemed a bit strange to me. By the time we actually got to the desk for check-in, Bill was back from parking the cars. However, they did get a quick photo of us while we were checking in (all persons in each stateroom). Sorry that didn't really answer your question Can ya tell I'm a first-timer

 

[hstrickland]

Woohoo! You are on the boat! I so HAVE to do this one day!

Your family looks so happy!

Yep! It's a must do Go ahead and put it on the list...it'll be worth every dime spent. Bill said he almost prefers the cruise over WDW......but not me Disney World still has my heart...or should I say the Magic Kingdom.

 

[cdotla]

I know...it's crossed my mind Do your kids not get upset that they can't go to WDW?? I'm afraid mine would throw a fit! There is so much 'adult' stuff I would like to do...things they wouldn't enjoy. And I would LOVE to go to DL. The kids have been watching things on TV about the new Cars Land...looks fun. Your trip next month will be great, I'm sure. Where are yall staying??

I guess the only good thing to being the main Disney nut in the family is that you don't tend to get too much grief about the solo trips. Even before I started the solo Disney trips in 2008, I had frequently taken at least 1 trip a year away from the family, even if it meant tacking an extra day or two onto a business trip. The habit has just stuck.

Solo Disney trips are very different from a family trip...not necessarily better, just different. I enjoy them very much and wld have a hard time giving them up. Yes, I still pass by families like yours on my solo trips and wish for a moment that my family was also there with me. Then again, while enjoying cocktails and long, leisurely dinners and seeing parents dealing with cranky kids trying to wolf down their meals and get their kids outta there, I am so, so happy to be on my own!

I think doing a short, long-weekend trip, bringing back some great Disney souveniers, and having an upcoming family trip already in the works helps to quell the kids. And having an "excuse" to be there solo, like attending a "conference" - D23 has some great ones - or running at a runDisney event, have also been great selling features for my solo outings.

Financially, a solo trip is also waaaayy easier to justify, especially if you are rooming with someone and/or using DVC.

Just be careful though, because solo trips can be completely addictive!!!

As for Carsland...it is simply incredible! Can't even tell you how fantastic it is. You NEED to skip WDW one year and take the family to DL one year instead.

You also asked about where we are staying next month....the Beach Club. Again. It is my husband's hands-down favourite, and it also tends to be where I end up most solo trips as well, especially if it is coinciding with F&W. This trip the highlights are going to be F&W, Lou Mongello's event (at American pavillion at Epcot), Epcot's 30th, the D23 event (at Epcot) and the Tower of Terror run (with the finish line and after party at DHS, walking distance to BCV). BCV was therefore a complete no-brainer for this trip.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Hey Heather...finally popping by. I've been away from the boards for quite awhile, but so happy to see you have a TR up and running. Yours are my favorite...I don't think I will ever tire of your charming little family!


All caught up in one sitting and can't wait to hear all about the rest of your trip!

Hi Trish!!! Heather and I were just wondering about you, so glad to see you on the boards. Life just has a way of getting busy and complicated sometimes doesn't it. I have had a few board breaks over the years, we all understand. I hope you had a good summer in Canada. You can see from my ticker we are working up to our first DCL this fall. Hope you are doing well! Cheers, Erin

 

[jennyjinx3]

Oh I love all your Mickey pictures, and you all look so excited I can feel it! Your report is taking me there...can you feel me with you?
Sorry...you asked me some questions before...I am distracted! No, we don't go in August, DH is on call for his work a lot over the summer, so we are going just after the kids are back in school. I know...bad parents...don't hate me! And yes, I am getting very excited. VERY!

 

[DisneyDoc5]

AWESOME UPDATES HEATHER!!!! I am getting so excited!!! Love the picture of Jesse looking up at Mickey in the cruise terminal, precious! I was just reading about 'rules' that parents give their kids on the ship on the cruise board. Did you let Stephan walk around by himself much? Did you give them rules? (other than the obvious, be polite stuff). I was thinking that many of these made sense and I am going to give a link to the other readers: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2976383

keep up the good work! Loving the pictures and details! Erin