9/16-10/3 The trip that dreams are made of....

[pamouselover]

Awesome pictures! I totally agree never stay in ANY days inn's!
We just stayed at one in VA for one night near Kings domion, we now call it the crack inn!

 

[jaycns]

Disney Magic, Day 3- Continued...

After dinner it was time to run back to our cabin and change. Look at who was waiting to greet us! The towel elephant and his groupies!!

And of course, some more of those tasty (at least to me) mints!

Even more friends were waiting for the boys on the ladder and pull down bed!!

Once again it's the little touches that made all the difference! It was so nice to come back to posed toys and towel animals each night. I know our room hostess was working very hard and for her to make that extra effort...well, it really meant a whole lot!

Tonight the show would be the Golden Mickeys and we were so excited to see that show! We had heard great things about it and we wanted to enjoy it as a family...so, meanly we made our boys miss out on the clubs for a bit and come to the show with us.

The premise of the Golden Mickey's is an awards show. Supposedly the MC doesn't show and a stage hand has to present the awards. By the end of the program she learns to believe in herself and we have seen TONS of Disney characters at the show! Yep, I did it again, went a bit crazy with the camera...but here are some shots of the show.

The first picture is of Snow White (and friends).

The next picture is of a shot from the Tarzan scene.

Of course the boys really liked the scene from Mulan.

Then a dance number with Terk and Stitch? Weird pairing...but it worked!!

My boys' personal favorite scene??? Toy Story of course!!

Sleeping Beauty.

The finale was amazing. Ground fireworks going off behind the huge, lights all over it, cut out of Mickey...tons of characters on stage...music....motion...colors...lights...WOW!!

This was one show that the entire family enjoyed. "Stitch" was perhaps the biggest fan of all and still brings up the "Gold Mickey Show".

After the show, Cinderella was out doing a meet and greet with her fans...however, by the time we made it out of the theater and took a quick potty break, her line was too long for comfort! So we chose to head in to one of the stores and do a bit shopping.

Our first purchase was a Capt. Mickey hat for "Stitch".

Next, a Goofy sailor hat for our very own "Goofy".

I don't know if this was a one time thing or if they always do this...but they were giving away one lanyard with four pins on it per cabin...being as we had two cabins...we got double the pin lanyard fun! Again, I don't know if they are always doing this, but it wouldn't hurt to ask!

Once we had finished up our shopping we went to head back to the room and who should we see standing all alone but Cinderella herself? Had we really been shopping that long??!! Yes, I guess we had. My boys had to pick up every item and weigh every choice over and over again before picking their favorite items for purchase. Along with the hats we had gotten the two younger boys a set of chipmunks. Chip for our little Chip lover, "Stitch", and Dale for his big brother, "Goofy". Here is the picture we got of our boys with Cinderella...without having to wait in line!!

Since we had promised the boys more time at the kid's clubs we took them back up and dropped them off...with the knowledge that we would be back to get them in a little over an hour. During that time, dh and I went for a walk under the stars. It was very romantic! And we took our time digging through some of our many photos at Shutters and buying our favorite ones. The photo package we purchased saved us a whole lot of money. **TIP...buy a photo package...you can trade in any photo(s) you like for other ones as you find others you like better and you can even get a refund (no questions asked) if you don't find enough to make the package worth while for you.**

A little after 11:00 PM we picked up the boys and made our way back to our cabin for a good night's sleep. Tomorrow morning would be a VERY early morning. The kid's had to be dropped off at the kid's club at 7:30 AM because we had an early excursion in Grand Cayman.

TO BE CONTINUED...

 

[jaycns]

Good morning Grand Cayman! I woke up to a cheery mouse on the phone and woke the rest of my family. First up, why a healthy breakfast of big island cookies of course . In my defense, I think I did order the fruit as well...I just don't think anybody touched it . After our quick in room breakfast, it was time for the kid's to go to the Lab (all age groups were in there at first since it was an early opening day to cover for parents like who had early shore excursions).

Today we would be going on the Reef/Shipwreck Snorkel excursion as arranged by Disney. It was reasonably priced (I am thinking about $32 a person) and WELL worth every penny. We met up with our friends (only the Mr. and the Mrs. because the kids had been dropped off like ours in the Lab) and waited while everyone signed last minute waivers (if I get eaten by a shark, drown, sink to the bottom and become unable to rise, so forth and so on, I will not sue Disney or the tour company...yada yada yada) and got stickered up so that Disney would know who to herd where. Then we were off!! Even tendering in was a nice relaxing activity! And I got some great shots of the Magic! The first shot was taken while looking up while passing the ship.

The second shot was taken while looking back toward the ship.

Upon departing the tender we had only to walk a few feet, go up a short ramp and down a short set of stairs to a small beach area (full of shells, coral, sea glass and wave tumbled rocks) and our boat that we would snorkel from pulled right in and picked us up. Here is the skipper of our boat...I cannot remember his name for the life of me...but if you go snorkeling in Grand Cayman and have him as your skipper...be very happy! He will dive down and take a picture of you while you float happily on the top of the ocean.

Here is the picture he snapped of me at Cheeseburger Reef...which was our first stop of the morning.

Cheeseburger Reef is so named because if you look in toward land, you can see a Burger King sign (according to our skipper). Cheeseburger Reef lies in about 15-40 feet of water...so you can see straight down to the bottom! The coral formation almost looks like giant fingers resting on the bottom of the ocean. If you look back out toward the ocean...the Magic is "right" there! The drop off is close to show and it gets very deep very quickly! Here are some pictures of dh and I bobbing in the water over Cheeseburger Reef with the Magic in the background.

Of course we didn't go snorkeling to stare at what was on top of the water...so here is a peek at what was below as well:

We were surrounded by so many fish I couldn't have counted them all had I tried! People have been feeding fish at Cheeseburger Reef for many years, so the fish are used to people and have very little fear of them. They swam right up to us and around us! We saw dory fish, parrot fish (the neat rainbow colored fish that feed on coral) and tons of other bright tropical fish. We also saw about 8 tarpon...and some of them were longer then I was! They looked scarily like sharks! Thank goodness our snorkel guides had told us about the tarpin before we saw them while in the water! Here is a picture of one of them:

He doesn't look so "sharkish" in the pictures...but when you are actually in the water...well, he looks more like one!

After about an hour at Cheeseburger Reef we got back on the boat and motored a very short ways away (we could still see the area we had been snorkeling over the reef and the view back on land still looked the same...they really were right next to each other). Our next snorkel site was the wreck of the Cali. The story behind this sunken freighter was that it was sustained damage in a storm, so they brought it in close to the shore at Georgetown to await repairs in the shallow water....however, this was not to be as the cargo holds were packed from top to bottom with rice. When the rice got wet...it expanded and that caused the Cali to virtually explode. Here are some pictures from that portion of our snorkel trip.

Here I am no comments needed!

Dh and the husband half of our friends liked the shipwreck snorkel better. They said that there was way more to see by way of sunken parts and more areas to explore. The wife half of our friends sided with me and liked the reef snorkel better. There were WAY more fish swimming near the reef and more to see by way of coral formations and more to explore. I would say that I loved snorkeling in both areas but if pressed to only do one upon a return visit, I would hit the reef. It was " ". This entire excursion is a highlight among highlights for me from this trip! I this excursion!!

Our time in the water passed all too quickly and we had to leave our snorkel boat and head back to the tender. By the time we got back to the ship and had changed into something dry, it was lunch time and the boys were all at Topsiders with their respective kid's clubs eating. So, dh and I grabbed some food on deck 9 (I went with a tuna roll YUM) and sat quietly enjoying the view of Georgetown from the top deck while eating a quick lunch. Once we had finished off our meals we went to tear our children away once more (mean parents that we are) from their counselors and drag them from the clubs. Don't get me wrong, dh and I could have spent the entire day enjoying Grand Cayman very happily no our own...but this was a family vacation and we were really looking forward to our afternoon on Grand Cayman as a family.

Up next...a visit with some very friendly sea turtles and going to Hell (Hell, Grand Cayman of course).

TO BE CONTINUED...

 

[momoftriplets]

DH & I were in Grand Caymen during a CCL cruise in March 2004. We LOVED snorkeling there. (I'm not a fish/water person at all & I still loved it.) Your description & pictures just brought me right back there. I am enjoying your report so much, I can't begin to tell you. Keep up the great job!
Barb

 

[jaycns]

...But sounds like a REALLY great time on the ship too. It sounds like there's so much to do...............did you have trouble deciding??? I love all your photos from this day..............Stitch still has such a baby face (don't tell him I said so).........he's just precious.

YES...we had so much trouble figuring out what we wanted to do and what we would "have" to skip! We wanted to do it all! I could have been busy morning, noon and night...however, we tried to pick downtime as an option too! We didn't want to return to WDW dragging our feet and falling asleep standing! THANKS for sticking with such a long trip report...of course, there is yet more to come! I am however proud of myself for finally being on day 11 of our vacation!

 

[jaycns]

What a great cruise so far!! I am so excited about going on one~ Hopefully within the next year!! I wanted to ask you about the "clubs" i keep reading about that your boys enjoy so much!! I have a 6,4,and 2yr old. I know the 6 & 4yr old's can probably find a "club" that they would enjoy, but do you know if there are any places like that for a toddler (2-3yr olds) on board?? Just curious. Keep your wonderful recaps coming!!!!

For potty trained 3 year olds there is a whole lot to do!! 3-7 year old are in the Oceaneer's Club. That is where my younger two boys (ages 5 and just 7) spent time this cruise. My now 10 year old spent time at this club when he was just 4 and he loved every minute of it too! They have such fun activities and they are wonders with holding the attention of and bringing enjoyment to so many little ones!

For 8-12 year olds they have the Oceaneer's Lab. This is where my 10 year old son spent most of his time. He had another preteen area for 10-14 year olds called "The Club" (I think) that he spent some time in on a few occasions...but most of his time was spent in the Lab.

For the babies through 2 year old (or those who are 3 and not yet potty trained) they have Flounder's Nursery. This is the only children's "club" that costs to participate in and babysitting slots are at a premium! My now 7 year old always seemed happy when we picked him up from Flounder's Nursery. He turned 1 on the cruise where we used the nursery a lot. I think it cost $6 an hour six years ago for one child to be in the nursery and they had limited hours where as the other clubs run from basically 9:00 AM-1:00 AM daily (and open earlier on shore days to cover for excursions). Also, with the Oceaneer's Club and Lab you don't have to sign up...you just drop and go on your own schedule.

I wouldn't not go because I had a young one (obviously...since we did ) BUT if I had a little one who was just about potty trained and just about 3...I would wait and go when they could enjoy the Oceaneer's Club because:
1. It's included with the cost of the cruise. You pay hourly for the nursery.

2. It's open basically all of the time (9:00 AM-1:00 AM). The nursery has limited hours and you are limited to the number of slots you can reserve.

3. You can drop and run any time you want. You have to reserve time (way in advance or you most likely will not find what you want available) slots ahead of time at the nursery.

4. They will feed your kids lunch and dinner in the clubs. They will only feed your baby what you provide in the nursery.

5. They have a lot more to do for older toddlers/preschool age kids then the nursery does. The nursery was great for my very young toddler...but he was easily amused at 11 and 1/2 months and didn't need any sort of program going on to keep him happy.

Hope this helps!

 

[jaycns]

DH & I were in Grand Caymen during a CCL cruise in March 2004. We LOVED snorkeling there. (I'm not a fish/water person at all & I still loved it.) Your description & pictures just brought me right back there. I am enjoying your report so much, I can't begin to tell you. Keep up the great job!
Barb

Why thank you !! Where did you guys snorkel while you were there?

Half the cruise is left and then our stay at the Poly afterwards with a visit to MNSSHP will be up and coming! Stay tuned!!

 

[jaycns]

I am so glad you are on your cruise! I have never been on a Disney cruise, DF says we cannot do this until after we have children I am so sorry you have lost so many pictures! Maybe they will turn up!

We saw more then a few childless travelers!! In fact, we saw a couple there on their honeymoon and they seemed to be having a great time! If you love Disney and you want to cruise...work on your dh!! Even without kids...you will love it!

 

[momoftriplets]

Why thank you !! Where did you guys snorkel while you were there?

Half the cruise is left and then our stay at the Poly afterwards with a visit to MNSSHP will be up and coming! Stay tuned!!

We went to "The Aquarium" which was just loaded with fish & then on to Stingray City. Lots of stingrays here. I watched the stingrays from the boat. I couldn't get into the water with them, but DH loved it. We did a private tour so there were only approx. 40 people on board. Would go back in a heartbeat if we could. Your underwater photos look a lot like ours. (Maybe you saw the same fish we did! ) Your photos of the shipwreck, however, made me push away from the computer. Just can't handle those. We were also supposed to go to the "drop off" you spoke of, but the waters were too choppy & we couldn't do it, so we anchored a couple hundred yards from there where it was safer. Anyway, enough about our trip. On with yours!!!

 

[thmar]

Currently on page 7 of your trip report...just wanted to be sure to bookmark it, so I can finish it later. What an awesome TR!! I feel like I'm there with you...experiencing your concerns for your sick child to the overwhelming joy that motherhood brings. Can't wait 'til I can get back to the rest of it!

 

[crazyhunter98]

thank you for a wonderful trip report and it is nice to see that you and your kids have so much fun together you guys are wery lucky .

 

[jaycns]

Disney Magic Day 4, Grand Cayman...the island adventure continues...

After collecting our boys we found ourselves tendering back to the island again. Upon arrival, we found (or rather she found us) a taxi driver that agreed to be at our disposal for 5 hours for the rate of $65 (US dollars). That didn't seem like a bad rate (if it was, just smile and nod and let me keep thinking it was good ) and she would take us anywhere we wanted to go and wait for us as long as we needed. She was also very willing to not only drive us, but act as a tour guide as well. Our taxi driver's name was Marilee. If you are looking for a ride from the port and see Marilee...JUMP IN and tell her that we said hello!! After getting comfy in Marilee's clean, air conditioned van we started out by driving past the island's sights. We had two must see things on our list for the day...

First on our list was going to Turtle Farm. Along the way, Marilee showed us the Governor's Mansion and asked us if we would like to go to Hell..."Huh?? Uh...okay... I guess we are game since you say it's on the way anyways". Lucky for us we didn't have Satan as a cab driver and we ended up in Hell, Grand Cayman...a little district in Grand Cayman which even has it's very own post office...yes, we did send postcards!

We stopped at the post office (which had a little trinket shop located right next store where we felt the need to buy a few trinkets) and wandered out to the viewing platform out behind the post office where we saw some of the most eerie yet beautiful rock formations we had ever laid eyes on! Turns out the rock formations (which cover an area about a soccer field in size) are very old limestone formations. You are not allowed to walk out on to the limestone spires but you can enjoy them from the viewing deck for free. I know the name doesn't bring up pleasant thoughts...but where as others saw Satan's playground (supposedly the area got it's name when an official cried out "This is what hell must look like"...I saw something I thought was breathtakingly beautiful! Here are a few of the shots of the limestone formations(pictures do not do this place justice):

Of course it was not all about natural beauty there...we did have to "walk on the wild side" just a little bit.

We ended up spending WAY more time then I ever thought I would want to spend "there" but it really was a beautiful spot! I am so glad that Marilee didn't let us over look this sight!!

But now it was time to press on...the turtles were waiting for us and "Stitch" was about to jump out of his skin waiting for the moment he would see sea turtles in person (without glass between the turtles and himself) and if he were very lucky he would even get to hold one!! "Stitch" is the world's biggest turtle fan...here at home the boy is like the turtle whisperer...he seems to be able to call those things to himself! During the warmer months of the year, he finds turtles at least weekly! And he has never met one he didn't love (except for a HUGE alligator snapping turtle which I am glad he didn't try and approach). So, needless to say, this had been a much talked about and anticipated adventure!

Upon arrival we were in for a small yet delightful surprise, Marilee told us to mention we were with her and we would get a discount! IT WORKED! We paid about $30 total for our entire family to get in!

According to the posted prices it should have been that for dh and I alone to get in...not Disney magic, but magic none the less!! Well, the money we saved didn't sit in our pockets long...instead we used it to buy some turtle food. Then it was finally out to see the turtles!!

I never would have imagined it possible to see so very many sea turtles at one time! Here is a picture of the boys and I feeding the turtles. You cannot see most of them in this picture...but that water was just full of them!!

After we ran out of turtle food a nice employee invited us to do what we had been hoping to do...HOLD THE TURTLES!!

As you can see by the looks on all of our faces...this was SO MUCH FUN!! Feeding and holding sea turtles was by far the coolest thing we did that day (and the day was full of wonder filled moments). GO SEE THE TURTLES!! They are amazing!!

Seeing "Stitch" see the sea turtles was a very happy "mommy moment" for me. To see pure joy just bursting out of every inch of him was an amazing sight! "Stitch" had talked about it, wished for it and day dreamed of the moment he would get to do it for months (a very long time for such a small guy) to see him living out a dream he held so dear was a cloud nine moment for dh and myself...our little turtle lover was holding a live sea turtle! For him...this was the moment of a lifetime!!

After such a wonderful encounter it was hard to even think about moving on to the next thing on our list...but we had only so much time and more that we wanted to do...

The second must see on our list was to spend some time on the beach. Well...we did get to the beach...and it was beautiful...but...

...you will notice two important things in the above pictures...first, "Stitch" is absent, we couldn't get him to stop building sand turtles long enough to pose for a picture and second, you can see the rains rolling in. Within about 15 minutes we would feel what is only seen in this picture. As soon as it started to drizzle we knew it was time to pack up and head back to the port. So, back up to Marilee's dry, clean and air conditioned van and we were back to the port in no time at all.

Once we got there the rains had all but cleared up so we figured we would stay off the ship a little bit longer and a bit more shopping.

The first store I had to go into was Del Sol (big surprise ). Once again my soft spot for things that change color in the sun lightened our wallets . Next up we stopped in at a pirate themed store and did a little shopping pirate style. We got the boys some piratey beaded necklaces (which would come in handy for our pirate dinner the next n ight) and grabbed a few other goodies to pass out to those who had to remain back home.

TO BE CONTINUED...

 

[paigevz]

Picked up a few trinkets for some back home who couldn't make the trip?

Oh goodie, when can I expect mine????

Another nice day, beautiful pictures, great turtles.................

Seeing something nice where others see "hell"............that is just so you.

Can't wait for more!

 

[jaycns]

Currently on page 7 of your trip report...just wanted to be sure to bookmark it, so I can finish it later. What an awesome TR!! I feel like I'm there with you...experiencing your concerns for your sick child to the overwhelming joy that motherhood brings. Can't wait 'til I can get back to the rest of it!

Thanks for joining me as I relive the trip!! I feel as if I am right back there too as I type it out. Thank goodness the worry is tempered by a bit of time passing (and knowing that the boys are all doing well right now) but the joys are still just as great! Disney means so much to me because it's a place all of us can just focus on having fun together. And...my greatest joy in life is my family...so to be able to experience all that Disney has to offer (this time on land and sea) with them puts me over the moon!

Anyway, thanks again for reading and your very kind comments!

 

[tommygirl79]

Just wanted to tell you once more how awesome your TR is! This would be EXACTLY the same dream vacation we would have (well, substitute maybe a few piratey things for princessy) if ever given the opportunity.

Every step of your dream vacation sounds incredible and I feel as though I'm there with you. Thanks for explaining the kids' clubs they have. Very informative and helpful.

Can't wait to see the rest! Keep up the good work!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Hi I just wanted to tell you how much I'm enjoying your report! I've been wanting to take a Disney cruise, but I suffer from the same affliction your DH does - motion sickness - so I'm afraid I'd spend the money and then be sick the whole time! Does he take anything for it, or does it just not get to him on the boat?

Thanks for taking the time to write this report - I love it!

 

[monymony3471]

I'm only on day 3, but I had to say this is one incredible vacation. Wow! I am so looking forward to reading all about your 3 fabulous weeks of disney. Do you vacation like that all the time?

 

[momoftriplets]

Thanks for posting the photos of Hell & the Turtle Farm. I always wondered what "Hell" looked like. (Pun only a little intended!) How much time did you have in port? Must have been quite a while if you could go snorkling in the a.m. & then everything else in the p.m. What a great day. Thanks again for posting.

 

[jaycns]

Hi I just wanted to tell you how much I'm enjoying your report! I've been wanting to take a Disney cruise, but I suffer from the same affliction your DH does - motion sickness - so I'm afraid I'd spend the money and then be sick the whole time! Does he take anything for it, or does it just not get to him on the boat?

Thanks for taking the time to write this report - I love it!

Dh is very prone to motion sickness...he cannot WATCH us ride the tea cups or a merry go round. He (and I swear this is 100% true ) was at a buffet place that had a revolving buffet and he THREW UP from trying to pick out his food (this was before we knew each other...but I still take the liberty of making fun of him for it). He gets sick driving on roads that curve or zig zag. He gets sick if he is the passenger in a car. Flying...sick. Trains...sick. The poor man just gets sick. HOWEVER, with Bonine and with Dramamine and Promethazine (RX) and the behind the ear patch he was fine...okay, you cannot take all of those at once but he did have them all packed.

On our first cruise he used the patch only and it made him very sleepy and dry mouthed and it made him feel as if he were in "fog" (his words). So this time, he got an RX for that since he knew it would work and his doctor also gave him Promethazine (usually used as an anti nausea med.). He also suggested having both Bonine and Dramamine as something we should pack that we could get over the counter. He told dh to start taking them the night before our cruise (he started Bonine) and did very well. In fact, he never ended up needing the patch and only had to use Promethazine for two days during the cruise...the rest of the time the over the counter stuff helped. For my dh though, Dramamine doesn't really help a whole lot. However, I know others that swear by it.

He also did a few "natural remedy" stuff on top of it. He wore sea bands from the morning of the cruise until we were back at Port Canaveral. He wore them even when we were in port. And he took ginger caplets each day as they are supposed to help settle your stomach (also suggested by his doctor).

I wouldn't let motion sickness deter you from taking a cruise...just talk to your doctor about your options and be sure to bring a few different kinds along and the sea bands do really seem to help (even if they are not so pretty ).

The ship has stabilizers that do a pretty good job of keeping it level...also, we made sure to book a room toward the center/bottom of the ship vs. the top or on an end where more movement could occur.

The only two times dh really "suffered" at all were when we tendered at Grand Cayman...he had forgotten to take his Bonine that morning since we left so early so he was not medicated. And when we had brunch at Palo...although everyone else would love the view, he didn't do so well with the moving horizon. He did switch seats with me...but we should have thought about it to begin with and put him facing in toward the buffet area instead of out toward the windows. Those were the two times he ended up needing the RX stuff to kind of get a grip when things got off kilter.

All of that said...he can cruise...but he cannot enjoy the view from the moving ship or ever hope to book an excursion that involves long amounts of time in a bus or on a boat. But...it worked out for us and he had a really good time...despite the motion sickness!

Hope that helps!!

 

[jaycns]

Do you vacation like that all the time?

Don't I wish!! However, I will admit to being spoiled...we have done Disney by way of land or sea every year for the past 7 years (minus one when we were in the process of moving during our normal "vacation" time...however, I did get to go twice the next year ).

Thanks for stopping by to read my trip report! I am loving your pre-trip report!