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

[jenseib]

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?

4 day has the same stops as the 3 day. CC and nassau and then 1 day at sea. Somtimes they will have special sailings with 2 stops at CC.

 

[MyPeanut&Bug]

Ok, slowly but surely I'm getting there! I'm up to Captain Jack! Great picture and he definitely looks like an awesome Capt. Jack!!

I am so loving all the beach/CC/water pics. That water is just absolutely gorgeous. I could look at and take beach pictures allllll day and not get bored. It just reinforces my belief that I really need to live on the beach somewhere!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Wow, I was 3 updates behind - you've been workin' hard girl! Of course, now I don't even remember what all I wanted to comment on

Leaving the ship was depressing wasn't it? At least you had WDW to look forward to, that had to make it a little better.

Obviously the CM at Pop was new, she really should have asked someone else for assistance in helping her find the location that was going to work best for you

They charged you $30 to move your pictures to DVDs?! Ouch!

I know the "I'm so hungry, I'm about to die" attitude - I've got 2 boys, I hear it often

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

Photo Caption should read:

Seriously Mom??? We are just walking in the resort parking lot, put the camera away!!!

even unposed though, it's a good shot.

 

[annmarieda]

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 stroller we had was about to break under her weight. So I asked about one that would hold heavier children and several people basically told me I was a bad Mom for letting my kid ride.
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 stroller 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.

I thought we had chatted about this before. Course, there are a couple of us who have a young one and older ones.. and my old brain forgot if you were the one I chatted with. Sorry

So Claire and Zoe are very close in age. Zoe turned 6 in February. I know it isn't necessarily a popular idea to have a 6 (or in my case when we go almost 7) year old. in a stroller. I have really liked the MacClaren we have since it is designed to accommodate a slightly larger child. We may have the same one (pink and gray?) Anyway... I have more than got my monies worth from the purchase of that stroller. I will also be keeping in for grand babies. (my oldest just got married last month but like you...not quite ready to be a gma yet. )

I know that my dh will want to leave the stroller behind. I know right now if we were to go... I would anticipate her needing the stroller. Just for the reasons you stated. " able to last longer without complaints" and "The stroller was a lot of help for me and we could also carry a bag with it without it weighing me down so much" I will have a bag that I have to carry with items for Zoe. I assume the stroller will still be a big help come December. It helps me to know that you too would bring one.

 

[stephielela]

Yay for MK fun!! I also have unsuccessfully tried to get a tuna sandwich at CHH for several trips. Maybe this year...

 

[brookelizabeth]

Ready for 40 million comments from about 30 pages back?!

I have requested Brook as my Room mate. Mindy and another girl from the Agency plan to room together. I belive Brooks plans are to come in a few days early, I will be in 1 day early, and Mindy will be coming in on that day and then staying longer because her family trip starts the 18th.
I just can't wait to meet these girls in person! We are going to have so much fun. I don't think any of us are wild girls...which is fine for me, I don't need to be "wild" to have fun.
I'm really loving having my countdown ticket now. It's still over 2 months away, but it is great to see!

Yep, we are coming in on the 12th. I'll be at Pop until the 15th, then at OKW from the 19-21.

Wild? Does Corn Dog Nuggets and late night rides on the roller coasters count? Ya, not so much a "wild" girl here, but I love to act goofy and have FUN!

And then I tried to shoot the sunrise.

See that very large Palm tree sticking out. I believe that is a cell phone tower.

How pretty it is to see the sun rise over Castaway Cay.

Back to pictures of CC!

Oh my word.

BEAUTIFUL PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All of them were - I had to limit how many I would allow myself to quote! Really, outstanding - just amazing. I cannot wait to go to CC!

And how very cool that you had a meet with a PassPorter!

Goofy toes made me kinda laugh! I never thought about them having toes... I love their outfits though! So cute!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I had too many pictures in my previous comment! LOL

I just loved your CC updates - ALL of them. So much good info and detail. And this pic of everyone's feet made me smile!

And big note to self - BUY WATER SHOES FOR THE CRUISE!

The shows look and sound incredible. This picture made me laugh because I didn't see Naveen's hands around her waist at first and I wondered what was wrong with her legs!

These are AWESOME! Wow. I think I want a tote bag for myself.

Sorry to hear about the crazy mishaps with your steward and the bed, and the missing gift card. How strange...and not acceptable!

Such a cute picture! I'm glad Claire got to see "her man" one last time.

I love her stuffed animal pick with the characters on the boat. That is a HEFTY price tag but it's adorable. That might have to come home with us...I better start saving more!

ADORABLE! Goodness, they are so teeny too! I saw little ones at AK in May, but not this little! So cute.

Jen, your report is AWESOME. It's getting me so hyped for my cruise...a year away. Sigh. So many great tips and hints that I'm picking up too! Thank you!

And less than 2 months to go!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

If I were there, I too would have bought that stuffed ship & passengers. Too cute to pass by!

Keep the pictures coming,I enjoy all of them.

My GDs will be 8 & 5 when we go in Sept.. but they will be walking. I don't know how much stamina they have. Our boys gave up the stroller around the age of 3. I don't remember them complaining at DW, but the times that we were there were very crowded. Most of our time was standing in line, not much walking!

 

[jenseib]

Ok, slowly but surely I'm getting there! I'm up to Captain Jack! Great picture and he definitely looks like an awesome Capt. Jack!!

I am so loving all the beach/CC/water pics. That water is just absolutely gorgeous. I could look at and take beach pictures allllll day and not get bored. It just reinforces my belief that I really need to live on the beach somewhere!!

CC was so beautiful. I'm not much of a swimmer, but I do wish I was closer to a real beach. Not too many ones with ocan views in Ohio!

Wow, I was 3 updates behind - you've been workin' hard girl! Of course, now I don't even remember what all I wanted to comment on

Leaving the ship was depressing wasn't it? At least you had WDW to look forward to, that had to make it a little better.

Obviously the CM at Pop was new, she really should have asked someone else for assistance in helping her find the location that was going to work best for you
They charged you $30 to move your pictures to DVDs?! Ouch!

I know the "I'm so hungry, I'm about to die" attitude - I've got 2 boys, I hear it often

I was going strong and then tdoday I did hardly anything with my TR. I worked slightly on it this morning, but we left the house at 11:30 and were buys up until about 15 minutes ago. I hope to get the next updat tomorrow though.
That CM was getting on my last nerve. I could tell right away that I wasn't going to love her. LOL!
I do hope to do a longer cruise. I was pricing the 5 day dream and magic for next April. It will be $1000 cheaper to sail the Magic and that also will stop at Key West. I'm not sure I can go to a smaller ship though.
I think I would have a lot of dead children if they al lactually died from not eating at the moment they are hungry. Claire would die about 10 times a week.

Photo Caption should read:

Seriously Mom??? We are just walking in the resort parking lot, put the camera away!!!

even unposed though, it's a good shot.

I think that is the PERFECT caption for that picture. You would think by now she would just get it or ignore me.

I thought we had chatted about this before. Course, there are a couple of us who have a young one and older ones.. and my old brain forgot if you were the one I chatted with. Sorry

So Claire and Zoe are very close in age. Zoe turned 6 in February. I know it isn't necessarily a popular idea to have a 6 (or in my case when we go almost 7) year old. in a stroller. I have really liked the MacClaren we have since it is designed to accommodate a slightly larger child. We may have the same one (pink and gray?) Anyway... I have more than got my monies worth from the purchase of that stroller. I will also be keeping in for grand babies. (my oldest just got married last month but like you...not quite ready to be a gma yet.

I know that my dh will want to leave the stroller behind. I know right now if we were to go... I would anticipate her needing the stroller. Just for the reasons you stated. " able to last longer without complaints" and "The stroller was a lot of help for me and we could also carry a bag with it without it weighing me down so much" I will have a bag that I have to carry with items for Zoe. I assume the stroller will still be a big help come December. It helps me to know that you too would bring one.

Many people have different ideas, and that fine, but just go with what you feel right. Skip could care less either way...and even if he did, he wouldn't get a vote. I'm the one who pushes her 90% of the time anyways.

Yay for MK fun!! I also have unsuccessfully tried to get a tuna sandwich at CHH for several trips. Maybe this year...

I got one there a couple of years ago and they are so good.

Ready for 40 million comments from about 30 pages back?!



Yep, we are coming in on the 12th. I'll be at Pop until the 15th, then at OKW from the 19-21.

Wild? Does Corn Dog Nuggets and late night rides on the roller coasters count? Ya, not so much a "wild" girl here, but I love to act goofy and have FUN!





Oh my word.

BEAUTIFUL PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All of them were - I had to limit how many I would allow myself to quote! Really, outstanding - just amazing. I cannot wait to go to CC!

And how very cool that you had a meet with a PassPorter!


Goofy toes made me kinda laugh! I never thought about them having toes... I love their outfits though! So cute!

I thought Goofys toes were funny too. And then of course the next picture you shoe is my families feet...which are kind of Goofy as well!
Wendy from Passporter was so nice. She goes to Disney several times a year and I think she has another cruise scheduled for the fall. I am so jealous of her.
CC is beautiful. I wish I didn't lose so many from the afternoon. But I will make sure to take a lot the next time I go as well.

I had too many pictures in my previous comment! LOL



I just loved your CC updates - ALL of them. So much good info and detail. And this pic of everyone's feet made me smile!

And big note to self - BUY WATER SHOES FOR THE CRUISE!



The shows look and sound incredible. This picture made me laugh because I didn't see Naveen's hands around her waist at first and I wondered what was wrong with her legs!



These are AWESOME! Wow. I think I want a tote bag for myself.

Sorry to hear about the crazy mishaps with your steward and the bed, and the missing gift card. How strange...and not acceptable!



Such a cute picture! I'm glad Claire got to see "her man" one last time.

I love her stuffed animal pick with the characters on the boat. That is a HEFTY price tag but it's adorable. That might have to come home with us...I better start saving more!



ADORABLE! Goodness, they are so teeny too! I saw little ones at AK in May, but not this little! So cute.

Jen, your report is AWESOME. It's getting me so hyped for my cruise...a year away. Sigh. So many great tips and hints that I'm picking up too! Thank you!

And less than 2 months to go!

Claire complained about the stones. She didn't wear her water shoes to the beach that afternoon and she kept saying it hurt her feet, so get some for Henry too.
The boat is adorable and as you can see she carried it to breakfast and then let it sit on her lap. She wasn't setting it down for nothing. She carried it on the plane as her personal item too. I guess the price wasn't to obad if you break it down...you get the boat and 4 plushes.
Claire was very happy to see Srdjan one last time.
You will have a blast on your cruise. I have been looking for next year. Mom mentioned she would like us al lto cruise at the same time. It's $1000 cheaper to cruise on the Magic for 5 nights than the Dream, both in April.

I can't wait too. less than 7 weeks now. I wanted to get my PTR going, but I haven't even got anywhere near starting it. Maybe tomorrow after I get an update done, I'll work on that next.

If I were there, I too would have bought that stuffed ship & passengers. Too cute to pass by!

Keep the pictures coming,I enjoy all of them.

My GDs will be 8 & 5 when we go in Sept.. but they will be walking. I don't know how much stamina they have. Our boys gave up the stroller around the age of 3. I don't remember them complaining at DW, but the times that we were there were very crowded. Most of our time was standing in line, not much walking!

That stuff ship was really cute, I must say.
I think the stroller thing is everyone own personal thing. I took Paige when she was almost 5 and hadn't had a stroller in years and we were carrying her out of the parks each night because her feet were so blistered. The same thing when I took her 2 years later. But back then I would've never even thought of getting a stroller. But in my older age, I have found it is the best for us. (plus I don't think I could even pick up Claire, let alone carry her with my old brittle body now a days) Some people can get so nasty about others using strollers. I could care less if someone does or doesn't, but I think they have the right to if they want. Claire is full of energy. She rode her bike over a mile yesterday and then went on a 2 mile walk with me and today rode her bike 3 miles. But for long WDW days...and we put in long days usually, I am happier if she can keep up with me and not complain. Lets just say with the stroller we were able to stay at MK till 2:45 AM!!!

And it was a good time too!

Sorry I didn't get an update today. I started it, but was on the go most of the day. I'll work on it again tomorrow and hopefully get something up before we have to leave at 10AM.

 

[dizneeat]

Jen, you must be an angel, as I WOULD HAVE wrung that CM's neck!

She sounds nearly as nice as the one checking us in at CBR this February!
But at least it was only for one night.
Your pool photos and photos of Pop are great! Love to visit through your photos!

MK: I didn't know they would put your photos on a CD/DVD. But then we travel with a netbook and extra harddrive (and sometimes an extra card reader as well) Tom takes up about half a suitcase with all his cables and extras!
Oh, and you got to experience the "let's wait in this line for half an hour and only discuss food when we can talk to the CM" kind of guests. Tom and I always seem to run into them too!
BTW, those photopass pics are too cute!

 

[jenseib]

Jen, you must be an angel, as I WOULD HAVE wrung that CM's neck!

She sounds nearly as nice as the one checking us in at CBR this February!
But at least it was only for one night.
Your pool photos and photos of Pop are great! Love to visit through your photos!

MK: I didn't know they would put your photos on a CD/DVD. But then we travel with a netbook and extra harddrive (and sometimes an extra card reader as well) Tom takes up about half a suitcase with all his cables and extras!
Oh, and you got to experience the "let's wait in this line for half an hour and only discuss food when we can talk to the CM" kind of guests. Tom and I always seem to run into them too!
BTW, those photopass pics are too cute!

My Mom made me beahve, so I couldn't wring her neck!

Yes, I got that same type of experience in the food line like you did. Whats up with that? I guess they couldn't read the menu while actually waiting in line.

 

[Beth D]

I think the stroller thing is everyone own personal thing. I took Paige when she was almost 5 and hadn't had a stroller in years and we were carrying her out of the parks each night because her feet were so blistered. The same thing when I took her 2 years later. But back then I would've never even thought of getting a stroller. But in my older age, I have found it is the best for us. (plus I don't think I could even pick up Claire, let alone carry her with my old brittle body now a days) Some people can get so nasty about others using strollers. I could care less if someone does or doesn't, but I think they have the right to if they want. Claire is full of energy. She rode her bike over a mile yesterday and then went on a 2 mile walk with me and today rode her bike 3 miles. But for long WDW days...and we put in long days usually, I am happier if she can keep up with me and not complain. Lets just say with the stroller we were able to stay at MK till 2:45 AM!!!

And it was a good time too!

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I agree, do what works best for your family.

With GKTW down there, you just don't know if kids are tired, or have medical issues where they need assistance. People just need to MTOB.

I think the right shoes helps a bit too. We all wear athletic shoes to the parks, no flip flops or sandals. But even at the end of the day at AK DS had DH carry him to the car one year and this year at MK he could barely step off the tram in the parking lot.

 

[jenseib]

Claire decided she “needed” to ride a big ride. So the decision was to head over to Splash Mountain area and check out the waits. Everything looked busy, but I guess we would just suck it up. I took several pictures on our way over. The parade was also getting ready to start, so we had to fight the crowds to get through.

Splash Mountains wait was 40 minutes. Claire said to go for it, so we did. I think we had no choice. Everything was pretty busy right now and we would just do a lot of walking in circles if we looked for something with a short wait. So what do you do when you have to wait for 40 minutes…..take about 40 pictures!

I posted this one to facebook from my phone.

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

40 minutes and you only took 40 pictures??? I don't believe it

 

[jenseib]

I agree, do what works best for your family.

With GKTW down there, you just don't know if kids are tired, or have medical issues where they need assistance. People just need to MTOB.

I think the right shoes helps a bit too. We all wear athletic shoes to the parks, no flip flops or sandals. But even at the end of the day at AK DS had DH carry him to the car one year and this year at MK he could barely step off the tram in the parking lot.

We do too. But bad feet run in my family. Claire seems to be ok compared to Paige and I. With Paige I had to change her shoes everyday of the trip because every pair caused blisters. She just has horrid feet. And with me, I wear the moxt comfy shoes I can possibly find and still can get blisters or just very achey feet. I walk very hard and rip out the insides of them fast too. So it seems when I find a good pair, they still don't last long.

40 minutes and you only took 40 pictures??? I don't believe it

Believe it or not, I think it was only about 30 while in line...but of course I took a lot while on the ride too.

 

[LDISNEYFOX]

I have to say that was an amazing read. What a cruise report!!

I have booked our first ever Disney Dream Cruise for October 2012 and I am so excited after reading your report.

There looks so much to do and see.

Do all children have to wear a name bracelet and if so up to what age.

I loved your boarding T-Shirts. Did you have them designed or did you buy them from Disney??

I also loved the Mickey Watch necklace, my daughter would adore that. Would you mind telling me where you purchased that.

Your photo's were amazing. I am going to sit my DH down this evening now and he can enjoy your report like I did.

 

[JKSWonder]

Wonderful trip report!

It's funny you mentioned that your daughter likes Sonny at Cosmic Ray's because my daughter (age 10) hates him!

She despises him so much, we can't ever eat there. For some reason, although she has no trouble with the Disney characters, she cannot stand muppets or puppets of any kind. We can never go the The Muppet 3-D movie at Hollywood Studios because she refuses to do so. Which kind of stinks for her father and me because we have fond memories of The Muppet Show.

My daughter did the BBB once on her 7th birthday. That, she loved. She complains everyday when I brush her hair, but had no problem with her fairy godmother in training "torturing" her.

 

[MyPeanut&Bug]

Ok, I'm up to day 5!

Show pictures came out awesome! And Animator's Palate looks really cute - and yummy!

I love Claire posing in her Tiana dress!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Thanks for transporting me to Frontierland today Jen Great photos!