4/11/09-4/18/09 Eastern with a few days at Disney prior...

[kellimomo3]

Disney Trip 2009
DH Ron (45), me Kelli (39), DS Griffin (12), DS Ryan (11) & DS Jason (8)
Pixie Dust & Magic....

Wednesday, April 8th - arrival & Coronado Springs

Our Jet Blue flight arrived ahead of schedule and we were very impressed by our first experience with this airline. The boys loved having their own TVs and our seats were so comfortable. Our Happy Limo driver met us in FL and we were psyched to see that we had been upgraded to a Hummer Limo! We arrived at the Coronado Springs resort, dropped off our bags and got some dinner in the Pepper Market. Our rooms were nice and the location was great. We were all asleep by 10pm in anticipation of our marathon park day the following day!

Thursday, April 9th-Disney , Disney, Disney...

After a quick breakfast at Cafe Rix, we boarded the Disney transportation bus to head over to the Animal Kingdom. We knew we were being ambitious by trying to squeeze in three parks in one day but we were brave! When we got to the Animal Kingdom, we headed straight to Africa for the Kilimanjaro Safari. We only had to wait about 15 minutes in line and we saw some amazing animals! We then headed over to Asia to do Expedition Everest. Mom sat this one out and after a 40 minute wait, the boys braved the adventure. Jason has sworn to never go again!! Grif, Ry & Dad loved it. We left the Animal Kingdom by 10 a.m. and headed to Hollywood Studios. Once we arrived, we headed straight for the Star Tours ride. The boys are huge Star Wars fans so this was a must see. We walked around and explored for a bit, then we had lunch at Hollywood and Vine. We would have loved to have done Tower of Terror and Rockin’ Roller-coaster but the wait was over two hours for each so we gave up and headed to Epcot. We made it there by 1:00. We rode the Seas with Nemo and Friends and Spaceship Earth. We explored all the Innoventions and sights to see. We ended our park experience with dinner at the Coral Reef. Everyone chowed! We headed back to the hotel and went for a swim. Once again, all in bed by 10 p.m.

Friday, April 10th – Hotel & Skydiving!

We all very much enjoyed sleeping in this morning. We had a nice breakfast at the Maya Grill at our hotel and headed to the pool for hours of sun and fun. We grabbed lunch at the Siesta Bar right at the pool and then went to get a taxi to our adventure at SkyVentures In Orlando. I had seen this place on TV and thought it was something original and different to do in Orlando. After our “training”, we entered the wind tunnel for our mock jumps! The boys loved it. I think it was one of the highlights of the trip! We had dinner at the Maya Grill and then Ron took the boys to the pool for a night-time swim while I did some laundry and got us organized for our early morning departure to the cruise!

Saturday, April 11th-All Aboard the Disney Magic...

Our amazing Escalade limousine arrived right on time to take us from the Coronado Springs to Port Canaveral. We strolled into the port by 10 a.m. and had a seamless check-in. We were lucky enough to meet a few of the DIS families at the port and it was a pleasure. I really enjoyed you all! We were onboard enjoying the Welcome Aboard buffet by 12:00! Our staterooms were ready by 1:30 and I unpacked us all shortly after. Our dinner tonight was in Animator’s Palate at 5:45. They no longer have the seating times of 5:30, 5:45 & 6:00. There is one early seating 5:45 and one late seating 8:15. I asked when it changed and a cast member told me last week. I had these amazing seafood wrappers and filet mignon. So good! The boys all headed to their kid’s club after dinner. Jason made fast friends in the Oceaneer’s Lab and Grif and Ry were in Ocean Quest together this year. Ron and I strolled on deck and read our books for a while. We were very tired but really relaxed!

Sunday, April 12th--Day at Sea (Happy Easter)

We all got up about the same time and headed to breakfast together at Topsiders. The boys were all psyched to get to their clubs so they ate quickly. Ron and I got some sun at the Quiet Cove adult pool for a couple hours, then met up with Jay for lunch. It was so strange this cruise to see Grif & Ry out and about around the ship. The Ocean Quest Club has free reign to wonder the ship. We kept bumping ito them during the course of our day and they always seemed to be having a blast! Ahhhhhh....soon it was time for our relaxing Couple’s Choice villa massage! We have done this on past cruises and love it. You have your own private veranda with a hot tub. The technicians start by giving you a foot ritual, followed by some alone time in the hot-tub, then your couple’s massage. Ahhhhhh...
Only Jay wanted to eat dinner with us tonight and he completely enjoyed himself. He loves our waiter, Jozsef and assistant waitress, Aude. After a delicious dinner in Parrot Cay at our beautiful window table, Jason went to the Lab and Ron and I had hours of alone time which we capped off by seeing the Adult Caberet which was hysterical! It was a late night for all. It was after midnight by the time Jay and I settled in, and after 1:00am for the Ron and boys!

Monday, April 13th--Day at Sea

We all slept in until 9:00 and went to breakfast together. Ron and I had an unbelievable Palo Brunch at 10:30. Oh my god, I have never been SO stuffed! We met Big Willie from the boards there as well as hadtocruisedisney and oatmealdiva. After that, Ron and Jay spent a few hours together doing whatever activities Jay wanted to do on the ship. I think he chose pizza, ice cream, shuffle-board and swimming. We all went to dinner together at Lumiere’s then the boys went back in the clubs for a bit. It was an early night as we had some very tired boys!

Tuesday, April 14th--St. Maarten

We ate our normal Topsider’s breakfast then headed off the ship into St. Maarten to spend the day at Divi Little Bay Beach. It was very beautiful and not crowded at all. Ron and I were so nervous because the sun seemed so strong, we reapplied the sunscreen numerous times but Grif & Jay still burned! Jay was fascinated by the talking parrot there. We went back to the ship mid afternoon, showered up and the boys got some time in their clubs while I relaxed and Ron went off the ship to gamble a bit. Pirate Night was tonight. We had a great dinner at Animator’s Palate followed by the Pirate deck party with fireworks!

Wednesday, April 15th--St. Thomas

The alarm sure felt early this morning!!! We had to meet for our excursion to St. John at 7:15. Ron and I really wanted to visit St. John since we have never been and have been to St. Thomas several times. The ferry ride over was very rough. Ry got seasick and I got very close but.....it was worth it! Trunk Bay was THE most gorgeous beach we have ever seen. It has an underwater snorkeling trail which Ron, Gif, Ry and I tried. The time seemed to fly by and before we knew it, it was time to head back to the ship. We all agreed that this is somewhere we would like to visit again. When we got back on board, the boys went to their clubs till dinner while Ron & I relaxed. Only Jason ate with us tonight in Parrot Cay. I got the yummy halibut. Ron and I saw the Adult Cabaret and had some laughs before we all went to bed by midnight.

Thursday, April 16th--Day at Sea..

It sure felt good to sleep in this morning. We were all whipped. The boys spent the whole day with their friends in the clubs. Ron and I did lots of sunbathing. I had a massage in the afternoon and the boys ate dinner at Lumiere’s tonight because Ron and I went to Palo for dinner. What an incredible meal! We had lobster ravioli, lobster tail and tuna steak all topped off by a delicious chocolate soufflé! Grif and Ry’s Ocean Quest gang had a private night-time pool party at the Mickey Pool!

Friday, April 17th--Castaway Cay

Ever since our first cruise when we missed docking in Castaway Cay, I am so very appreciative when we are able. It was an unbelievable day, the weather on this trip has been amazing! The boys all went into the clubs on the island and Ron and I headed to Serenity Bay’s adults only beach. We relaxed in a hammock for a while until Jay beeped us because he wanted to eat with us. We separated for a while and did our own things, then we all met up for dinner at Animator’s Palate. It was so sad to say goodbye to Jozsef and Aude. They were the best serving team we have had in all our cruises and they will be missed. The boys had a very hard time saying goodbye to all the friends they had made as well as the counselors who made their trip so special. Grif & Ry will keep in touch with Davey, Jared, Josh, Nick, Cole, Hunter, Matt and Josh from England. Grif & Ry had special thank you gifts for Edson, Josh, Paige and Hilary. Jay had special thank you gifts for Ben, David, Kaje and Di and enjoyed making friends with Drake & Mark. While they were enjoying their last night, we packed everything up for our early morning departure.

Saturday, April 18th--until we meet again...

This was by far our best family vacation. Each one of us had an amazing time and were sad to leave. We did not have to rush off the ship as early as in the past because our flight did not leave Orlando until 2:00. We had lunch at the airport and arrived back in Boston about 5:00. The limo met us there and brought us home by 7:30pm. Everyone crashed hard that night and dreamt of the Disney Magic.....

final thoughts

After originally thinking that this would be our last Disney cruise with the boys getting older, we are hoping to return again in a couple years. There is just something about a Disney cruise that can’t be denied and we are hooked for life! Bon Voyage!

 

[Had2disneycruz]

Awesome TR, Kelli! My DD15 saw one of your boys on the last morning and she said he was very upset. I think she wanted to cry too. It was very hard to leave, as we also, had the best family vacation of our lives! My DD & I were all teary-eyed as we said goodbye to the ship from our shuttlebus.

Thanks for the heads-up on Divi Little Bay resort. It was beautiful!!

 

[itutorfortravel]

Awesome TR, Kelli! My DD15 saw one of your boys on the last morning and she said he was very upset. I think she wanted to cry too. It was very hard to leave, as we also, had the best family vacation of our lives! My DD & I were all teary-eyed as we said goodbye to the ship from our shuttlebus.

Thanks for the heads-up on Divi Little Bay resort. It was beautiful!!

Oh gosh, now I don't feel so bad about choking up at breakfast on Saturday. I was on the verge of tears and felt really silly about it, but it was so sad to be leaving that beautiful ship and the wonderful people who took care of us all week long. Later when I told DD that I had cried a little bit that morning she said she did too! DH didn't have quite the same emotional reaction - LOL - but he did let me rebook on board...now let the saving begin again!!!

Thanks for the great trip report Kelli! We took loads of pictures and I need to get them uploaded for sharing. Right now we are trying to do a school project with some of our pics. DD was allowed to take the class "mascot" Curious George with us on the cruise so we have to write about George's experiences on the Disney Magic last week and include pictures! We've got pics of George in Animator's Palette, lounging on the bed, and on the teak loungers on Deck 4...he sure was one lucky little monkey

The best to all of you!

Kimberly

 

[kellimomo3]

Yes, that was DS (12) Grif bawling like a baby up on deck 9 looking at the port the last day. We were watching people get off and I looked over and he was crying. Poor guy. He made some really good friends and really bonded with the Ocean Quest counselors!!

Kelli

 

[TBRox]

Yes, that was DS (12) Grif bawling like a baby up on deck 9 looking at the port the last day. We were watching people get off and I looked over and he was crying. Poor guy. He made some really good friends and really bonded with the Ocean Quest counselors!!

Kelli

I always tear up at the last Disney Dreams show of the cruise myself! And, to further emphazise the power of Disney: My DD (high functioning autistic) has rarely been able to 'cry' - I mean really cry... she feels saddness, but has been otherwise unable to cry real tears.... Last year on our first cruise she cried her heart out at the show and then sobbed big crocodile tears when we drove away from port... This year again - as we were pulling away on the Disney Transport Bus - she was drowning in those crocodile tears - A real mixture of saddness to be leaving but imense joy over the time she had and the friends she made.... Grif is not alone!!!! What a special cruise and special people (cast and guests!) that can bring about such depth of emotion!!! Hope to see you all on-board again sometime - keep in touch over the 'disboards' - we all now share in something special and sweet - the memories of good times and new friends! (we are hoping to sail in two years again - and hope to see you all again or maybe in the parks too somtime!) Be well everyone!

 

[kstategrad]

Would you mind sharing how much the Couple's Choice spa treatment was? I'd love to do that with my DH this fall when we go. This will be our 3rd cruise and I have only been in the spa once, for a pedicure!

 

[kellimomo3]

Would you mind sharing how much the Couple's Choice spa treatment was? I'd love to do that with my DH this fall when we go. This will be our 3rd cruise and I have only been in the spa once, for a pedicure!

I think it was $400. We loved it!