NancyDVC
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2000
- Messages
- 1,141
We were up early Saturday. Repacked and loaded the car. We had decided to eat at the Radisson off the regular menu because we were saving room for all the food on the cruise.
We drove to the Budget office with one quick stop at Walgreen's for some last minute items. The drop off at Budget was easy. Just a short line of folks renting. One family had just come off the shortened 4 day Magic and were not happy campers. The wife told everyone in sight how awful everything was-the trip to Ft. Lauderdale, the check in, the cruise etc., etc. And how she expected some compensation!
We had the shuttle to ourselves. Nice driver full of local info. Just the 3 of us and our luggage. It was early and the terminal wasn't open yet so we were dropped off under the white tent. Within a few minutes a porter showed up to collect all the bags (about 20 people were waiting). he gave a spiel about carrying your IDs, all your documents, any medications etc with you. We tipped him and strolled to the terminal.
They checked our IDs against a list and let us into the terminal. Oh what a gorgeous sight! We waited on line for about 10 minutes before they opened check in. My Mom has trouble standing and I found a DCL wheelchair on the side so we sat her in it. Check in was smooth, especially when they told one large family group that the children (who were getting in everyone's way) did not have to wait on line.
Then a qucik tour of the terminal and a CM showed us where to wait with the wheelchair. I walked around taking pictures and takin gin the atmosphere. Donald and Goofy came into the terminal about 15-20 minutes before they let us board. We bagan boarding about 11:50. They pre-boarded those with special needs (wheelchairs etc.)
We posed for a boarding picture and then had to wait a moment before they let us on board. When they announced our names I started to cry! That's me sentimental. After all I cry every time I see the American Adventure.
We chose Parrot Cay for lunch because we hate the heat. The servers were very helpful with the wheelchair and we had a lovely lunch. I left half way through to make Palo ressies- for dinner and tea.
After a leisurely lunch we explored somemore. We bought the thermal mugs and straps to fill all week with soda, water etc. Before we knew it it was 1:30 and we went to our cabin. Oh that verandah!!! I think my Mom and friend spent more time there than on deck! Met our stateroom host Mario. He was wonderful all week!
I went to the mini DIS meet by the Mickey pool and met so many wonderful DISrs. Then back to unpack and get ready for the safety drill. The drill went smoothly and then back on deck to watch the sailaway from deck 10! great fun especially watching the CMs on the dock wave goodbye with the Mickey hands!
We stayed on deck until we were well past the channel. We finished unpacking and decided to skip the first show and just go to dinner. Met our tablemates, a family from NC-mom, dad, son (age 19) and grandparents. They were sort of quiet that first night but I made up for it. We all warmed up as the days went on. Taht first night the mom asked her husband to klet her taste his dessert but he refused & when she mentioned trying it to our server, we got one of each of the evening's desserts in addition to what we had ordered! That continued all week. We each ordered and then Rodger brought more for us to sample!
Walked the deck some more and back to the cabin. My Mom was amazed by our towel animal a lobster! Turned in about 12:30 after watching CNN and the latest on Ivan.
Up early Sunday ate at Topsiders-very helpful servers with my Mom in the wheelchair. Off to the DVC member update. it was a blast. I am now known as that crazy DVC lady who has all the answers. I don't have all the answers but I do know a lot about DVC and the resorts. By the time we got through some of the trivia I was giving answers away! One lady who got stumped asked where's the woman with all the answers. I gave the right answer and she thanked me again later. As we left Diversions we found the porthole seats and my mother fell in love with them too. Of course I took her picture lounging in one!
Lunch at PC. Buffet was okay-asian, nothing spectacular. Toured the ship somemore. Shopped again. Made ressies for shore excursions at San Juan and St. Thomas. And we all napped on deck 4 for awhile.
Saw the Golden Mickeys-great show. Lovely dinner in Lumiere's. Our table seemed to be slow at dinner and never left the table until nearly 10:00. So we usually walked a bit on deck and then turned in.
There were so many activities that I could have done but didn't have enough time!
Next installment soon!
We drove to the Budget office with one quick stop at Walgreen's for some last minute items. The drop off at Budget was easy. Just a short line of folks renting. One family had just come off the shortened 4 day Magic and were not happy campers. The wife told everyone in sight how awful everything was-the trip to Ft. Lauderdale, the check in, the cruise etc., etc. And how she expected some compensation!
We had the shuttle to ourselves. Nice driver full of local info. Just the 3 of us and our luggage. It was early and the terminal wasn't open yet so we were dropped off under the white tent. Within a few minutes a porter showed up to collect all the bags (about 20 people were waiting). he gave a spiel about carrying your IDs, all your documents, any medications etc with you. We tipped him and strolled to the terminal.
They checked our IDs against a list and let us into the terminal. Oh what a gorgeous sight! We waited on line for about 10 minutes before they opened check in. My Mom has trouble standing and I found a DCL wheelchair on the side so we sat her in it. Check in was smooth, especially when they told one large family group that the children (who were getting in everyone's way) did not have to wait on line.
Then a qucik tour of the terminal and a CM showed us where to wait with the wheelchair. I walked around taking pictures and takin gin the atmosphere. Donald and Goofy came into the terminal about 15-20 minutes before they let us board. We bagan boarding about 11:50. They pre-boarded those with special needs (wheelchairs etc.)
We posed for a boarding picture and then had to wait a moment before they let us on board. When they announced our names I started to cry! That's me sentimental. After all I cry every time I see the American Adventure.
We chose Parrot Cay for lunch because we hate the heat. The servers were very helpful with the wheelchair and we had a lovely lunch. I left half way through to make Palo ressies- for dinner and tea.
After a leisurely lunch we explored somemore. We bought the thermal mugs and straps to fill all week with soda, water etc. Before we knew it it was 1:30 and we went to our cabin. Oh that verandah!!! I think my Mom and friend spent more time there than on deck! Met our stateroom host Mario. He was wonderful all week!
I went to the mini DIS meet by the Mickey pool and met so many wonderful DISrs. Then back to unpack and get ready for the safety drill. The drill went smoothly and then back on deck to watch the sailaway from deck 10! great fun especially watching the CMs on the dock wave goodbye with the Mickey hands!
We stayed on deck until we were well past the channel. We finished unpacking and decided to skip the first show and just go to dinner. Met our tablemates, a family from NC-mom, dad, son (age 19) and grandparents. They were sort of quiet that first night but I made up for it. We all warmed up as the days went on. Taht first night the mom asked her husband to klet her taste his dessert but he refused & when she mentioned trying it to our server, we got one of each of the evening's desserts in addition to what we had ordered! That continued all week. We each ordered and then Rodger brought more for us to sample!
Walked the deck some more and back to the cabin. My Mom was amazed by our towel animal a lobster! Turned in about 12:30 after watching CNN and the latest on Ivan.
Up early Sunday ate at Topsiders-very helpful servers with my Mom in the wheelchair. Off to the DVC member update. it was a blast. I am now known as that crazy DVC lady who has all the answers. I don't have all the answers but I do know a lot about DVC and the resorts. By the time we got through some of the trivia I was giving answers away! One lady who got stumped asked where's the woman with all the answers. I gave the right answer and she thanked me again later. As we left Diversions we found the porthole seats and my mother fell in love with them too. Of course I took her picture lounging in one!
Lunch at PC. Buffet was okay-asian, nothing spectacular. Toured the ship somemore. Shopped again. Made ressies for shore excursions at San Juan and St. Thomas. And we all napped on deck 4 for awhile.
Saw the Golden Mickeys-great show. Lovely dinner in Lumiere's. Our table seemed to be slow at dinner and never left the table until nearly 10:00. So we usually walked a bit on deck and then turned in.
There were so many activities that I could have done but didn't have enough time!
Next installment soon!
