5 Night Dream 29 June 2012,(Day 1 part 1 & 2)

[Skyw]

Oh, how fun! I would never be able to hold a surprise like that in!

I didn't think I could do it either. I am horrible at secrets and I can't lie. So it was a battle for me. Luckily for me, he sees me looking at Disboards web sites on a regular basis, so he didn't clue in on that!!!

 

[pooksma]

Yay!!! Glad your reveal worked out!

 

[Skyw]

Park and Cruise is the best!!!! Once you find it at least. It is clearly marked. But the sight of the Dream can be so distracting. We backtracked to the entrance of the Park and Cruise. There is an old military hut that you will drive thru. Head for that and get in line. Someone will come to your window and let you know what is going on. Once inside the hut, they will help you unload your entire luggage and reload it in their shuttle. The “person in charge” pays at the counter and the driver parks the car. Afterwards, you hop on the shuttle. Total time is about 15 minutes. Easy!

Everyone was so excited on the shuttle. And it wasn’t long and we were unloading in front of the Dream. The Disney representative took our luggage. We tipped the shuttle driver and the Disney person. They also give you directions to where you are supposed to go next. Is was a very simple process.

We needed to get thru security before we get to the actual terminal. It was at the gate before you enter the building, outside. We had to show our Gov. ID, passports or Birth certificates. I was totally stressing at this point. My DSD was born abroad and doesn’t have the classic birth certificate. I wanted her to get a passport before we left, but she did not . We had no problems with that one. It turns out that her military ID, the one that says “gov’t issued” was not what they wanted . They preferred a driver’s license. It made absolutely no sense to me. So security had to call someone to see if it was still good. REALLY???!!!! DSD did not have her driver’s license with her either. It was an intense few minutes. The call came and we had good news, we could use her military US Gov’t issued ID. Geeze, I hope so.

At this point, I am going to inject my DS and DH experience of the trip. It will be a view from an 8 year old (DS) and a very reluctant cruiser.(RC)

DS- He explained to me at that point, he was happy that we might not get on the ship. He was overwhelmed and was worried about the ship sinking. He wanted to go the beach like we said we were going to do. I was sad to hear this but he was being honest. . And it will be a theme to first couple of days of the cruise.

No reaction from the RC. He was just going with the flow.

Next you will either go thru the lower level or upper level security screening and metal detectors. Once you finish, you enter the terminal. Yahoooooo. We got there around 12pm. It is a bit confusing when you enter. But there is a Disney rep to help. You will fill out a questionnaire that states that you are not sick. (noro virus).

Once completed we went to the Castaway Member line. Which was much shorter then the other line. This is where you need to have your pre cruise documents and show your ID’s, passports again. And again, the Govt issued Military ID confused the staff. A senior staff member said it was OK and we were done. We got boarding pass #14. Not a great number in my mind . I turn to DH and he says, they just called 17!!!! So we walked right on.

Total time to the Mickey ears gate from Park and Cruise was 40 minutes.

 

[Skyw]

Hey everyone, I am going to visit family this week. So it is going to be at least a week before I update again. !!!!!!!

 

[15isto2]

Awwwww, I am so sorry to hear that DS was worried about being on the ship

 

[Skyw]

Home now, I will update tomorrow.

 

[iloverags2]

I do hope your DS was able to become more relaxed and enjoy the cruise!

 

[Skyw]

I left off that it was 40 minutes from the car to the ship. Honestly, I would have loved a few minutes to relax before boarding. I was fumbling around trying to find things in my purse the whole time. And I thought I was organized.

Now it is the moment I have been waiting for. I wanted to take in every moment and savior it. But I did not. I had one worried kid, one hungry husband and one nervous sailor (not sure why?). So I spent the next 30 minutes in the Mom mode. .

First the picture. I will try to rotate it soon. Just turn your head over to the side.

Then this

They announced our family and we were on board....

My first impression. I thought it was beautiful. Disney really knows how to design and decorate a space right down the smallest detail. BUT, we did miss the RCL design of the newer ships. Details to follow.

DS was still nervous, DH was still hungry and I was still trying to take it all in. It is quite overwhelming when you have planned for months. I didn't want to miss a moment.

We were directed to Cabanas for our first lunch. AVOID it, go to the sit down place. It was a zoo. The most crowded I felt on the whole trip. We could barely find a seat. But the food was great. Better then I expected. Much better then other cruises I have been on (CCL, RCL).

I am a seafood lover!!! And Disney did not let me down!!!

 

[Skyw]

After we ate our lunch, My DSD and I ran to change our dining assignment from late to early. We sat in a short line and then brought to a table. They took our information and said it was a very good chance that we would be able to change to early dining. Happy Dance. I was instructed to take my wave phone with me at all times until I hear from them. OK DOKEY!!!!

By then, it was 1:30 and we were able to get to our rooms. It is quite humorous when I think about it. Everyone is waiting by the ropes and then it is like a heard of buffalo running to their cabins.

We had Cabin 9142. It was aft and just around the corner from the stairs and elevator. Excellent location. The aft elevators were never too busy and we had a 2 flight walk to deck 11. There was plenty of space to unpack everything. And even our largest luggage fit under the bed. I also brought a bunch of old hangers to hang most of my clothes on.

After we undpacked we did this.

Then it was Drill time....

NO life jacket. However, it lasted forever. The longest of my 5 of my cruises. . We kept seeing people running to their muster station well after the time. And it was hot.

My DS was still nervous and this drill made him even more anxious. He asked many questions about the boat sinking. (like the titanic). For as excited as I was, he was equally upset and scare. And I felt like the worse parent ever. If I could do it all over again, I would have told him that morning and gave him a few hours to get comfortable with it. Poor guy.

We quickly visited the Kids clubs after the longest drill ever. He ran from place to place checking it all out. It was a really nice space and the CM were very friendly and engaging to the kids.

Finally, WE GOT THE CALL. Our dining time was early, table 104.

 

[pooksma]

Great update. More please!

 

[Celizd]

ahh im on the edge of my seat!! more please! my family has NEVER taken a cruise and we are thinking of finally doing a disney one in the spring. so I love hearing every detail