A Hop, NO Skip, and Many Mishaps to a Disney Dream!

[jenseib]

Lots of great updates Jen!

I too was sad to leave "my ship" behind. Three nights is too short and it was a good thing we went to WDW after too!!

I at your dad telling you every detail of his days!! My mom does stuff like that too, minus the bathroom breaks!

I can't believe your steward neglected to pull the bunk bed down!! He really wasn't at all on the ball, was he?

Cute pillowcase and tote!!!

I love the BBB invitation!! That is cool! Wish I would have thought of that!

If you ever want the invite, let me know. I have the original version without the date and time on it.
At one point when my Dad was telling us of his days...I said "so what did you do Sat then?" and he got mad and said he hadn't finished Friday yet.
I came back telling people that I knew all about my parents bathroom schedules. Dad would announce it, and later on there is a really funny story about one of his bathroom adventures......
My Mom had part of her Colon ermoved several years ago. So now she has to eat certain things to be sure she doesn't get it infected again (diverticulitus), so she would talk about the foods she needed to make her go and not clog up or hurt things. LOL! Then when it came time to "go" it would take awhile and several tries.

Wow, last morning on the ship must have been hard... but I think it is awesome that you still had a place (not home) to go to!!! And Pop!!! Yay!

I can't believe the cm didnt quite now what she was talking about. I wonder why some of them have to be that way while others are so good. In September when we checked into Pop, we were first assigned a room in the 90's near the parking lot. Hmm... while that might have been a good location if were were using the parking lot... it was not what we wanted. I asked for what I wanted (had requested) and POOF there it was. Why don't they just put us where we request so that we dont' have to hassle with it? I was at least lucky in that the cm did assign me the location I was wanting. I have had the cm who is lacking at check in too... and it isn't fun.

That CM was lacking. She was young, so maybe she was new. But she really had a clueless look on her face. Almost like no one has ever asked to be reassigned.

I was several updates behind but am all caught up now. Trouble is, I don't remember everything I wanted to comment on. Let's see what I do remember.

Glad that Claire got to see her Prince Charming (server) once last time. I do believe she did have a little crush on him.

It sounds like getting a porter was a good thing. I would have had no clue what to tip him but it does sound like he did a good job and was quite helpful.

I'm happy that your dad had a good time while you guys were on the ship.

Hum....what else?

I wonder how long the castmember who checked you into Pop had been working at Pop. She certainly didn't sound familiar with the resort at all.

Looking forward to hearing about your visit to the Magic Kingdom.

I have been trying to pump them out lately. (got another one ready too)
Claire talked about "her guy" all the time.

I really think that CM might've been new.
We are night owls at MK! But we had a lot of fun

Don'tcha just love how kids let you know when they gotta go! DS waits until the absolute last minute before he pees down the leg and then its the mad dash to find someplace! I'm glad you found something, cause that drive from Cocoa/Canaveral to Orlando is desolate!

I also love the photo with Jack! Do you think DH would mind too much if I got one without DS or DH in it, just me and the Captain??

Yes, usually when Claire needs to use it, we get signs like tummy aches. So I knew if we found a spot to at least try, she might feel better. She came bouncing back out.

That is super frustrating about the Pop CM. I am debating about whether or not to put in a request this time, since the systems changed. I really want the same room as last time. It was first floor, building 9 in the 80's and the end closest to Everything Pop/bus stops, so everything was just a couple minutes walk. Plus it was not a connecting room. I guess it can't hurt to put in the request (and look like an OCD lunatic) and then just see how it all shakes out!

I am goingto add 1 for my AS Movies when I get a little closer. I would like a refurbed room on the 1st floor. I have paid for preferreed too. 1st floor is most important to me though. I like that in motel style places.

 

[jenseib]

We arrived at MK and we were both very excited.
I tried to take a picture of Claire and that little bugger tried to pull the stroller cover over her face.

We stopped for a few photopass pictures as well.

I also had to go and check to be sure that my old ticket didn’t need to be upgraded…and it didn’t.
My first order of business was not really all that fun when we entered. I was on a mission to see if I could buy a CF card. I asked at one gift shop and the guy directed me to the photo center, but he also said he thought the only cards the park sells are the SD kind.
We headed to the photo center and talked to 2 nice photopass photographers working the desk. They confirmed that I could not buy a CF card, but they could put the pictures I had on a CD or DVD. I think they were a little iffy on how to do it, but one girl seemed to know more than the other.
I don’t know why, but they didn’t put both cards I handed to them on the same DVD. I’m not sure if it was possible or not, but I had to get 2 DVD’s one having twice as many pictures as the other. They also linked the pictures to my photopass card. But for some reason when I loaded the cards on the site, about ½ of the pictures were missing. But it didn’t matter, as they all were on the 2 DVDs. I want to point out that I had the option of CD’s too, but they don’t hold as many pictures and it would’ve cost me over $100 to do it that way, while the DVD’s were about $30 total.

Claire was anxious to get moving…I don’t blame her, but she was very good while we waited. It took a little longer than I expected.
We then looked at the wait times for the Princesses and Mickey, since they were in that same building. 15 minutes for EACH! Wow….but Claire said no, she didn’t want to see any of them. Bummer…I did!

We headed to Tomorrowland then. I wanted to try and get fast passes for Space Mountain. Claire was finally big enough to ride.

I never even took a first glimpse of the castle picture. It was hot and busy and I guess I didn’t think of it.
I did turn around and get this one in tomorrowland though.

We got fastpasses for later in the day. I think around 6:30, but I can’t remember for sure the exact time and I didn’t write it down.

Claire declared that she was hungry. I was too, so I said we would head over to find some food. But Claire wasn’t only hungry, she was about to drop dead from starvation. She couldn’t walk another step hungry…You know that hunger….the kinds that kids get sometimes and if they don’t eat soon life is going to be miserable for all around. YEP! That was her. I had planned on going over to Columbia Harbor house for a tuna sandwich, but that planned was scratched right then and there. So we headed over to Cosmic Rays. The closest place to us.

We just randomly chose a Bay and got in line.

I gave Claire choices and she chose PB&J…??????? She almost never wants this even at home, so I thought it was odd. I double checked and triple checked and she said yes, that’s what she wanted. I debated over so many things. I was hungry, but not super hungry. Did I want to stuff myself or just get something smaller? I finally decided on the nuggets. I should’ve gone with the kids portion. There was WAY too much for me to eat and I threw half away.
The lines were long, but moving fairly fast. We got up to the CM and she was taking the order of the people on the other side…and it was taking FOREVER. They couldn’t make up their mind (why didn’t they decide in the long line????) and it was becoming irritating and even Claire was loudly asking why we hadn’t ordered yet…remember she was about to die of hunger….
Then they changed out CM’s and of course cash drawers, etc. The new CM goes to the next person in line on the other side!!!! WAIT!!! It’s our turn next!!!!!

Luckily those people were nice and told her we were next! We ordered and found a friendly CM up at the counter.

We found a small table down near Sunny Eclipse and had a seat.

Claire was mesmerized by Sunny. She says she doesn’t remember him from previous trips, but she has dance to his tunes before!

Claire ate pretty well, and even had one of my nuggets. We had WAY too many fries. And I could only eat half of my nuggets. I felt bad about wasting food, but I would’ve been sick if I ate it all. I know for this upcoming trip that I will be ordering kids meals here and there when I’m not feeling super hungry, but need a bite……or maybe just Mickey Bars! LOL!

After we ate, we decided to head over towards pirates.

We stopped for a few photopasses on the way over. This is one of my favorites!

I finally made the time to get a decent castle picture.

 

[PrincessBetsy]

I just finished catching up. I really love the autographed pillow case and tote, they came out great! It's so sad that your cruise days are over... But, at least you still get to go to WDW instead of going straight home. I can't wait to hear about your day at the Magic Kingdom!

 

[mickeystoontown]

If I am remembering correctly, the last time we ate at Cosmic Ray's the lines took forever. Maybe that's why we haven't been in a while.

I love the Photopass pictures. They turned out so good.

 

[annmarieda]

Glad you got your pictures transferred even if it wasn't the best way.

So, I am sure you have mentioned... but how old is Claire. I think she and my dd are the same age, roughly. Right? Reason I ask is I notice she is in her MacClaren. I am thinking I want to bring ours for dd in December. I guess it is 5 1/2 months from now... so she could be a lot bigger.... but I like bringing the stroller and can't imagine not having it. In fact, last September I swear dh sabotaged me bringing it (it got left behind at home. ) and I ended up buying one of the red ones they sell in the parks. The MacClaren is much more suited for her size, especially when she falls asleep. (in September the red one would barley hold up her head she was too big for it) So... point to my ramblings... Did yours work well for Claire? Would you bring it again?

 

[Mindy5767]

Did you know that there is not enough life “boats” for everyone? They also have life “Rafts”. I learned this on a past cruise. I guess they can’t carry enough big sized life boats, so they have the rafts too…I don’t know all the “real, technical” info on why though.

You know.... they didn't have enough life boats on the Titanic either!! That was why most of the people who died, died! After that, maritime laws were changed and it was required to have a lifeboat space for each passenger. They must have amended it later to allow for rafts!! I don't want to be the one in the rafts! I hope its still "woman and children first!"

 

[petals]

luvin all the updates!

 

[hardingk]

Another great update!....Speaking of Mickey Bars...do they have them on the ship?

 

[PrincessBetsy]

Love the Magic Kingdom photos, especially those of Cinderella Castle!

 

[Tinkerbellcrafter]

We love Cosmic Rays and don't usually ever have a long line. I love their chicken soup. We all split up into the bays we want and then eat at a table outside to enjoy the castle forecourt show, music, etc. I'm sorry that your experience wasn't as great.

Patiently waiting for the nest installment.

 

[jenseib]

I just finished catching up. I really love the autographed pillow case and tote, they came out great! It's so sad that your cruise days are over... But, at least you still get to go to WDW instead of going straight home. I can't wait to hear about your day at the Magic Kingdom!

WE loved the autographed stuff. Great and useful souvinirs!

If I am remembering correctly, the last time we ate at Cosmic Ray's the lines took forever. Maybe that's why we haven't been in a while.

I love the Photopass pictures. They turned out so good.

I seem to always end up at Cosmic Rays. It's OK. But you are right, it is buys most of the time. If you go really late, it's not too bad. I think thats why we hit it alot. It's opne during EMH's.
I was pretty happy with most photopass pictures this time.

Glad you got your pictures transferred even if it wasn't the best way.

So, I am sure you have mentioned... but how old is Claire. I think she and my dd are the same age, roughly. Right? Reason I ask is I notice she is in her MacClaren. I am thinking I want to bring ours for dd in December. I guess it is 5 1/2 months from now... so she could be a lot bigger.... but I like bringing the stroller and can't imagine not having it. In fact, last September I swear dh sabotaged me bringing it (it got left behind at home. ) and I ended up buying one of the red ones they sell in the parks. The MacClaren is much more suited for her size, especially when she falls asleep. (in September the red one would barley hold up her head she was too big for it) So... point to my ramblings... Did yours work well for Claire? Would you bring it again?

Claire is 6. She turned 6 in Dec. I remember talking to you before about our girls being close in age...and you have some older kids too right?

I actually got some slack about a year ago on this topic. I took Claire to teh zoo for a day trip and the stoller we had was about to break under her weight. So I asked about one that would hold heavier children and severel people basically told me I was a bad Mom for letting my kid irde.
But I don't care. I want to be able to last longer without complaints, and a stroller allows us to do that. So last summer I bout the Maclaren Quest. And I LOVE it. Sure she is heavier than a younger kid, but it works well and much better than the old stroller that had a 40lb limit. Claire is somewhere between 60 and 65 lbs now. The storller was a lot of help for me and we could also carry a bag with it without it weighing me down so much.
If we go to WDW in the next year, I will bring it. I have used it for a few days trips here and there here at home too. So to me it has paid for itself already. My DD Paige is 19 and talking about marriage in the next few years and she is also talking of having kids early on, so I will save it and use for grandchildren (though I really hope it's not for awhile, as I am not really ready to be a grandma yet )

Claire did konk out on our way back to the bus stop on our MK night and it was nice. She got out, jumped on the bus, slept the whole way back and then back in the stroller again on our long walk back to the room. It worked for me. I know it's not for everyone, but if you think you would use it, bring it. Renting one would have been slightly cheaper than buying this of course, but I have gotten more use out of it than just this trip and will kepp it for several years as it is pretty sturdy.

 

[Caretames1]

2 updates? Where have I been
First I want to say I'm jealous of your photopass pics. The borders you have were not on the site when I did our photos in January! In fact there were a whole lot of 2010 frames. UGH!
Did you have to ask for all those magic shots? We didn't get any except for the ones in AK. I think I'm going to be doing a lot of polite asking!

Kadence gets hungry like that, so far she hasn't died from it. I swear, how can it come on that fast? Sam wasn't as dramatic as Kady is. What is it, the younger sister syndrome?

 

[bubba's mom]

They also had a Doug plush with them and were taking pictures with it through out the trip. I Love it when people do it. I always say I will someday, (with Claires lovey Penelope) but have yet to do so.

Ever read/see my trip report on Mickey's vacation to Universal?

(link in sig)

 

[jenseib]

You know.... they didn't have enough life boats on the Titanic either!! That was why most of the people who died, died! After that, maritime laws were changed and it was required to have a lifeboat space for each passenger. They must have amended it later to allow for rafts!! I don't want to be the one in the rafts! I hope its still "woman and children first!"

Yes, these rafts are not just regular rafts. They are lifeboat rafts. They deploy when the hit the water if they haven't been before hand. So basically if the boat goes under before they get them all up, they infat on contact. Also the ship has enough room for 150% of the capacity, wither it be lifeboat or lifeboat raft. It's also no longe women and children first. LOL! And these rafts aren;t as bad as you think. I must've watched a show on them or something becuae I know I have seen one before. Also a person on Cruise critic was talking about it and a lot of what he said jarred my memory and I'm sure I knew most of it before.

luvin all the updates!

Thanks. I hope to get another tomorrow. Skips back home, so life is back to normal now. LOL!

Another great update!....Speaking of Mickey Bars...do they have them on the ship?

Yes they do. Claire had one for dessert the first night (you can also read my dining review ..link in my signature "so this is what a dream tastes like". They also have them room service. I had planned to order them at one time or another, but I was too full or tired to ever do so.

Love the Magic Kingdom photos, especially those of Cinderella Castle!

Thanks. It's a great place to photograph.

We love Cosmic Rays and don't usually ever have a long line. I love their chicken soup. We all split up into the bays we want and then eat at a table outside to enjoy the castle forecourt show, music, etc. I'm sorry that your experience wasn't as great.

Patiently waiting for the nest installment.

You're lucky,. It seems to be always busy when we go.

 

[Caretames1]

OMG, I just remembered, LOL I saw a comerical on TV Saturday for the pulls in Tomah. I thought of you, and wondered if they got to pull. The weather man just said we are in for another 1-2 inches of rain on Monday. I'm building an Ark!

 

[LuvEeyore]

I am just lovin when Icome home on Sunday nights after working Friday-Sun. many updates to read. Looking forward to thenext update

 

[Stefy]

Great MK day so far, loving all the PP pics

 

[jenseib]

2 updates? Where have I been
First I want to say I'm jealous of your photopass pics. The borders you have were not on the site when I did our photos in January! In fact there were a whole lot of 2010 frames. UGH!
Did you have to ask for all those magic shots? We didn't get any except for the ones in AK. I think I'm going to be doing a lot of polite asking!

Kadence gets hungry like that, so far she hasn't died from it. I swear, how can it come on that fast? Sam wasn't as dramatic as Kady is. What is it, the younger sister syndrome?

I asked a lot. And some kind of acted like it was hard...but oh well. LOL!
Paige was dramatic too. I think she actually was worse. She was dramatic about everything. Michael wasn't really, but he was so hyper he didn't have time to be. Now he always has the poor me syndome.

Ever read/see my trip report on Mickey's vacation to Universal?

(link in sig)

No, I don't think I ever did....but I will be reading it today!

 

[jenseib]

OMG, I just remembered, LOL I saw a comerical on TV Saturday for the pulls in Tomah. I thought of you, and wondered if they got to pull. The weather man just said we are in for another 1-2 inches of rain on Monday. I'm building an Ark!

I guess the ones who pulled Thursday night were canceled. But everything else went on. He was to pull Friday night and Sunday afternoon. He ended up breaking something on Friday night and made the decision not to pull on Sunday so he wouldn't ruin it further. He had 4 other guys with him. He wanted to come home right away when he found out it was broken, but decided to stay till Sun. Morning. Well I guess one guy acted like a baby and was so mad. He told Skip he would never go with him again because he always changes his plans (don't I know that one. LOL) But this guy has been helping Skip out off and on for years and knows how he is, so I don't know why he acted like this was such a shocker. Skip had a little falling out with him several years ago (when we just started dating) and the guy stopped going then. Then Skip had some other guys helping him and this guy was mad about that and only in the past few years have they started talking again, and he was swearing he would do anything Skip said so he could get back into helping him pull. So this is the 1st real time over the years that Skip has been able to pull, because of the hip, and this guy was totally back and then he acts like a baby.
They got home at 8 last night, but if they would've watched the Minis pull yesterday they wouldn't have even gotten on the road till about 6 and gotten home early this morning.

I am just lovin when I come home on Sunday nights after working Friday-Sun. many updates to read. Looking forward to the next update

Glad to help make your week! LOL Im gonna try for another one today.

Great MK day so far, loving all the PP pics

Thanks!

 

[GoofyWife]

love the MK pictures and wishing I was there - DS wants to go see the new Harry Potter so I think DH and I are going to take him the day after Christmas, I originally was going to book one of the Universal packages, but when I asked DS if he wanted to do Seaworld or something else too, he said he wanted to go to AK because we never did get to ride Expidition Everest and I mentioned I would like to go to Epcot for a day, so now, we've changed our short trip to Universal to one day at Universal, one day at Epcot and one day at AK - now just hoping for a pin code or Disney to drop the rates a little, although they probably won't change them much for the week between Christmas and New Years - I actually do have a question for you - on the Four day cruises, where does the Dream stop - do they still go to Castaway Cay or somewhere else?